[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RICHARD COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 5, 2016

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Richard 
Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Mendo Lake Credit Union, who is 
retiring after forty years of service to credit union members.
   Richard Cooper was born in Bend, Oregon, and raised in Alaska where 
he began his long career at Credit Union One in Anchorage. He continued 
his work in southern California until 2008 when he moved to Mendocino 
County and became the President and Chief Executive Officer at Mendo 
Lake Credit Union.
   Under Mr. Cooper's leadership, Mendo Lake Credit Union has thrived 
as a business and flourished as an award-winning community partner. 
Renowned for his civic service, Mr. Cooper was recognized as the Credit 
Union Times ``Rock Star of the Year'' in 2016. During his tenure at 
Mendo Lake Credit Union, it was recognized with ``Desjardins Youth 
Financial Education Award'' from the Credit Union National Association 
in 2014; a ``Trailblazer Award for Serving the Underserved'' by the 
Credit Union Times in 2015; and as a ``California Small Business 
Volunteer Program of the Year'' by the Governor's Office in 2012.
   In addition to his many contributions to these credit unions, Mr. 
Cooper has dedicated countless hours as an active board member of the 
Economic Development and Finance Corporation of Mendocino County, the 
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the Mendocino College Foundation, 
the Ukiah Senior Center Endowment Fund, and the Ukiah Valley Medical 
Center Community Advisory Council.
   Richard Cooper's career is one of dedicated service and the highest 
level of civic engagement. Please join me in congratulating him on his 
retirement and expressing our deep appreciation for his outstanding 
contributions to the residents of Mendocino County.

                          ____________________