[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 9 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF CONNIE COKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 23, 2012

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in a loss we are only just beginning to feel, 
Connie Coker stepped down as Rockland County Legislator at the end of 
2011. To me she typified the Rockland spirit of enthusiasm, common 
sense, hard work, and intelligence. She cared for people and worked 
hard to help them in any way a legislator could. To top it off, she is 
a genuinely nice person and I'm happy to call her a good friend.
  Connie came to the legislature in April, 2006, winning a special 
election and then winning her re-election in 2007. She was tireless in 
advocating for clean air and water, affordable housing, green space, 
clean energy, a fair tax structure, and against overdevelopment and the 
dangers associated with Indian Point.
  In the County Legislature she served as Chair of the Environmental 
Committee, Vice-Chair of the Multi-Services Committee and the Special 
County Comprehensive Plan Committee, was a member of the Public Safety 
Committee and the Solid Waste Authority Board, and served as the 
Legislative Liaison to the Fire Advisory Board, to the Volunteer 
Counseling Service, and to the Environmental Management Committee.
  She is a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Midwife and her legislative 
agenda was based on her commitment to the health, well-being and safety 
of the citizens of Rockland County.
  Connie lives in South Nyack with her husband Erik Larsen, a doctor. 
They have two daughters: Keah Larsen, a graduate of Nyack High School 
and SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Women's Studies; and Anika Larsen, 
also a graduate of Nyack High School who attended SUNY Delhi-Culinary 
Arts and Rockland Community College.
  I will miss seeing Connie at the events we both went to. I will miss 
far more the wise counsel she had to offer and her sound advice about 
the areas we both represented. By happy coincidence we both represented 
a 17th District. She is a good and gracious person who represented her 
constituents wisely and well. We are all better for knowing her.

                          ____________________