[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        MR. DAVID CAMERON HOPPER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAMES COMER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2018

  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. David Cameron Hopper 
of Russell County in the First District of Kentucky. Mr. Hopper 
recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a host of family and 
friends. Growing up in a household with nine other siblings, he learned 
the value of hard work and continued education.
   In 1948, Mr. Hopper enlisted in the Navy, serving four years during 
the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Aggerholm. In 1955, he married Faye 
Smith and cared for her children, Pam Smith Adams and Gene Smith. He 
later graduated from the University of Kentucky's College of 
Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. 
Together, he and Faye would attend yearly reunions with his shipmates, 
visiting a new destination during each trip.
   After graduating, he began working for McDonnell Aircraft in St. 
Louis, Missouri, where he helped complete a top-secret mission for the 
company. His family later learned he specialized in data analysis for 
the first manned space expedition, Project Mercury. During his tenure 
with the company, he also worked on the experimental F4H executive jet.
   In 1961, he served as an electrical engineer for the East Kentucky 
Power Cooperative, which supplied power to sixteen owner-member 
cooperatives throughout the Commonwealth. Shortly after he was hired, 
he assisted with purchasing the cooperative's first computer and wrote 
their payroll and consumer billing programs. His leadership in these 
areas compelled him to serve as a founding member of the East Kentucky 
Employees' Federal Credit Union and later served as the organization's 
President for thirteen years. Upon his retirement from East Kentucky 
Power in 1992, he had risen to the position of Transmission Division 
Director.
   Mr. David Cameron Hopper is a man of many interests, blessed with 
many talents. He could be described as a farmer, fixer of anything, 
electrician, entrepreneur, mechanic, fisherman, landlord, avid gardener 
and University of Kentucky fan, but his most treasured titles are those 
of a dedicated, generous, and proud father, grandfather, great-
grandfather, brother, and uncle.

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