[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E712-E713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF DR. KENNETH H. COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2021

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kenneth H. 
Cooper, MD, MPH, Founder and Chairman of the Cooper Aerobics Center. 
Dr. Cooper turned 90 years-old on March 4, 2021 and is a life-long 
exemplary example for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having logged 
more than 38,000 miles running, he can often be found exercising with 
his wife, Millie, at the Cooper Aerobics Center. It is my privilege to 
commend him for his tremendous role in inspiring millions of people to 
exercise for their physical and mental good health over the course of 
his trailblazing 64-year medical career.
  Dr. Cooper served 13 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, as a 
flight surgeon and director of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory. During 
his service, he developed the 12-minute and 1.5-mile fitness tests and 
the Aerobics Point System, used today by branches of the military, 
schools and organizations worldwide. In 1968, Dr. Cooper wrote his 
bestseller, Aerobics, where he coined a new word and submitted the 
official definition to the Oxford English Dictionary. In addition to 
Aerobics, Dr. Cooper has authored 18 additional books which have sold 
over 30 million copies and been translated into 41 languages and 
Braille. After retiring from military service in 1970, Dr. Cooper 
founded the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, TX with the mission to 
explore the relationship between cardiovascular fitness, health and 
longevity.
  Dr. Cooper's oratory skills have echoed in halls across the county 
and internationally in more than 50 countries. He attained iconic 
status in Brazil, having trained the 1970 Brazilian soccer team leading 
to their World Cup victory. In Portuguese, jogging is translated as 
``coopering''. In Hungary, the national fitness test is named the 
``cooperteszt'', In April 2013, Dr. Cooper attended the prestigious 
Boao Forum in China, serving as a forum panelist alongside a former 
Prime Minister of Australia and two Nobel Prize Laureates in Medicine.
  I appreciate Dr. Cooper for his extraordinary pioneering efforts to 
improve the lives of Americans by positively impacting our diet. His 
collaboration with PepsiCo and their elimination of trans fats from its 
Frito-Lay snack line set an international example that other companies 
follow. For three years, the back of Baked Lays packages included this 
quote from Dr. Cooper, ``Fitness is a journey, not a destination. It 
must be continued for the rest of your life.''

[[Page E713]]

  Dr. Cooper's illustrious career is punctuated by groundbreaking 
discoveries and substantive impacts in the global fight for a healthy 
lifestyle. I wish him all the best on the celebration of his ninetieth 
year and have tremendous respect for his continued professional career 
as he serves as Chairman of six health and wellness companies and 
Chairman Emeritus of The Cooper Institute. My sincere appreciation for 
all that he continues to do to improve lives in our country and across 
the globe.

                          ____________________