[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING WARREN COPELAND

 Mr. BROWN. Madam President, today I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring Warren Copeland, an Ohioan, an educator, a man of deep 
faith, and a dedicated public servant, who passed away this January.
  Warren Copeland's life and career are the epitome of public service. 
He believed in justice and opportunity for all, and worked every day 
toward that goal. He was one of the longest serving mayors in Ohio 
history, representing the people of Springfield from 1990 to 1994 and, 
again, from 1998 to 2023. Warren retired in November 2023 during his 
35th year as mayor. He also served on the city commission from 1988 
through 2023. Springfield was lucky to have Warren at the helm.
  Warren put the people of Springfield and the good of the city first. 
He was dedicated to his community and cared deeply for those in it. 
Over the course of his career, Warren achieved so much and helped make 
Springfield the vibrant community it is today. For members of the 
community, Warren was a constant; he rarely missed local events and was 
always there if you needed him.
  As a leading voice in the bipartisan Ohio Mayors Alliance, Warren 
offered guidance and advice to new mayors. He served as a mentor and 
supporter for many of his counterparts across the State. I had the 
privilege of working with Warren and appreciated his dedication to our 
State. We fought together to protect manufacturing jobs in his city and 
region. He knew that good jobs with a living wage are the key to strong 
communities.
  Warren also served his community and lived his faith as a professor 
of religion and the director of urban studies at Wittenberg University. 
Warren was an accomplished scholar with a master of divinity from 
Christian Theological Seminary and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the 
University of Chicago. He joined Wittenberg faculty in 1977 and 
continued teaching throughout his time as mayor.
  During his time at Wittenberg, he helped to establish the Susan Hirt 
Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement, where he served as faculty 
director. The center and Warren supported students as they explored 
careers and interests connected to community service. He cultivated 
partnerships that were beneficial for his students and for Springfield, 
including with our mutual friend former Congressman Dave Hobson. Warren 
shared his wisdom and knowledge and passion with class after class. He 
taught his students to be engaged citizens who embody the values found 
in the Beatitudes and in Matthew 25, values that Warren championed 
throughout his life of service.
  Today, we recognize Warren's commitment to Ohio, we honor his life of 
service and faith, and we recommit to the example of service he set. 
Because of Warren, Springfield is a better place, and Ohio is a better 
place. We are grateful for his leadership and his service.
  Our thoughts are with his wife Clara, his three children, and seven 
grandchildren and all those who were blessed to know Warren.

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