[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 195 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING DR. KENNETH COOPER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 2021

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Dr. Kenneth H. 
Cooper, recognized as the ``Father of Aerobics.'' Born on March 4, 1931 
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, his desire to practice preventative 
medicine was fostered by his father, who specialized in preventative 
dentistry. He would go on to receive his Bachelor of Science and Doctor 
of Medicine Degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of 
Public Health from Harvard University School of Public Health.
  Prior to dedicating his life's work to fitness, Dr. Cooper served as 
a member of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon and 
Director of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory in San Antonio. During his 
13 years of military service, he developed the Aerobic Point System as 
well as the 12-minute and 1.5-mile fitness tests used by military 
organizations, law enforcement agencies, and thousands of public 
schools and universities today. In partnership with NASA, he was 
likewise an integral part of creating the conditioning programs used to 
prepare astronauts for space.
  After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Cooper devoted his time 
to researching cardiovascular fitness and longevity. In 1970, he 
founded the Cooper Athletic Center in Dallas, Texas where he merged 
research with practice, revolutionizing health and fitness. The Cooper 
Institute has long been recognized as a leader in the fight against 
childhood obesity, partnering with several organizations to establish 
fitness programs in schools across the world.
  A man of many accolades with years of knowledge, it is of little 
surprise his training helped lead the 1970 Brazilian Soccer team to 
victory in the World Cup.
  As a pioneer in preventative medicine, Dr. Cooper has received more 
than 70 awards and honors. He has authored 19 books and is responsible 
for the addition of the word ``Aerobics'' in the Oxford English 
Dictionary.
  While Dr. Cooper's professional and academic career has been filled 
with great achievements, it is his family that most inspires him. Dr. 
Cooper and his wife, Millie, were blessed with a daughter, Berkley, and 
a son, Tyler. Dr. Cooper and his family set an example by actively 
practicing what they preach and working to maintain a healthy 
lifestyle. Dr. Cooper himself successfully completed his first marathon 
in 1962 and has since logged more than 38,000 miles running.
  Now as we recognize Dr. Kenneth Cooper, I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to join me in honoring his rich life and 
legacy.

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