[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL GEFFREY L. COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant 
Colonel Geffrey L. Cooper, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 
23rd Marines, for his extraordinary leadership and bravery in action 
against enemy forces. He has shown strength and courage throughout his 
many years of heroic service with the United States Marine Corps.
  A native of Aurora, Illinois, Lt. Col. Geffrey L. Cooper is married 
to June Madsen, and is the father of three daughters, Jennifer, 
Jessica, and Jacalyn. He graduated from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot 
in San Diego in November, 1973, and has since had a long and successful 
military career. In 1980, Lt. Col. Cooper was commissioned as Second 
Lieutenant upon his graduation from St. Cloud State University in 
Minnesota. In 1980, he was also assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine 
Regiment and served as an infantry platoon commander. He was appointed 
to Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton, and served as Assistant 
Officer in Charge from 1983-1986. In 1986, he was assigned as 
Commanding Officer of Company B, 3rd Light Armored Vehicle Battalion.
  Lt. Col. Cooper proved to be a strong leader as the Operations 
Officer for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, and as 
Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, Okinawa, 
Japan. After leaving active duty in 1992, he joined the Individual 
Mobilization Detachment, Tactical Training Evaluation Control Group 
(IMADET). He served as the head IMADET representative for more than 75 
combined arms exercises. In 2003, he was again activated and assumed 
command of 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment in support of Operation 
Noble Eagle at Camp Pendleton.
  Lt. Col. Cooper, along with the entire 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 
was activated on February 23, 2002, and was deployed in February 2003. 
Nine hundred members of this Marine Forces Reserve Unit, combined with 
the I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), conducted the longest series of 
synchronized combined arms and overland attacks in the history of the 
Marine Corps. The 800 kilometer advance, which began at the border 
between Kuwait and Iraq, experienced heavy combat with continued 
hostilities to the North of Baghdad. The combined combat force 
successfully destroyed nine Iraqi Divisions.
  The battlefield swiftness of the I MEF during its campaign was 
unmatched by any force to date. The success of the operation was due to 
valiant efforts of men and women such as Lt. Col. Cooper. Lt. Col. 
Cooper's many accomplishments are indicated by his many decorations, 
which include: Navy Marine Corps Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy 
Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Combat Action 
Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in saluting 
Lt. Col. Cooper's exceptional leadership in the 2nd Battalion, 23rd 
Marine Regiment. Also, I ask you to join me in wishing future success 
to Lt. Col. Geffrey L. Cooper at his new Command, the 1st Marine 
Division, Camp Pendelton.




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