[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING DON COOPER UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
  WYOMING VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION IN 
                       WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mr. Don 
Cooper, retiring executive director of the Wyoming Valley Jewish 
Community Center and the Jewish Federation in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne 
County, PA.
  During his tenure, Mr. Cooper developed an active and involved 
membership that included commitment and participation from all elements 
of the community. He also enhanced JCC programming in all areas by 
developing and encouraging an outstanding, competent, productive and 
loyal staff.
  Mr. Cooper made exceptional contributions in the areas of day care, 
elder programming and leadership development. He has protected, 
improved and expanded the JCC facility in downtown Wilkes-Barre and its 
day camp facility nearby.
  He has overseen successful fundraising and grant writing applications 
that have assisted in securing the financial future of the JCC.
  Mr. Cooper received a BA in sociology and economics from the 
University of Cincinnati and a MSW; ACWS in community organization from 
Western Reserve University.
  During the course of his career, Mr. Cooper served as a field worker 
in the Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association; assistant 
executive director for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association in New 
York; assistant executive director for the Jewish Federation and 
Council of Greater Kansas City; executive director for the Tampa Jewish 
Federation/Jewish Community Center; and as executive director for the 
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
  Mr. Cooper is affiliated with the Academy of Certified Social 
Workers, National Association of Social Workers, National Association 
of Jewish Community Organization Personnel, CJF and UJA regional and 
national planning committees; professional advisory board of Joint 
Distribution Committee; University of Pennsylvania School of Social 
Work Board of Visitors; and the Beth Israel Zion Synagogue in 
Philadelphia.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Cooper on the 
occasion of a well deserved retirement. The contributions he made to 
the Jewish community as well as the community at large have been 
responsible for improving the quality of life for so many people, a 
fact for which Mr. Cooper should be justifiably proud.

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