[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E188-E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE SERVICE OF BENJAMIN ``BEN'' COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2024

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the inspiring 
life and noble career of a lifelong Connecticut resident and patriot, 
Mr. Benjamin ``Ben'' Cooper. A member of America's ``Greatest 
Generation'' who honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War 
II, Mr. Cooper witnessed the unspeakable horror of mass casualties and 
genocide that occurred in the European theater. Rather than suppressing 
this experience, he made it a mission to share the unspeakable 
tragedies he witnessed on the frontlines of the War. He transformed his 
experience into lessons for high school students and taught kindness 
and empathy for others. His service and lessons have inspired many 
generations of American citizens to care for each other with the same 
sincerity and dedication seen in Mr. Cooper himself.
  Born in 1921 to Max and Fannie Cooper, Ben is a lifelong resident of 
West Hartford, Connecticut. Ben attended Hall High School and graduated 
in 1940. After attending George Washington University for one year, he 
returned to Connecticut in 1941 and worked at Colt Arms Factory in 
Hartford. Despite not having officially joined the military yet, Ben 
contributed to the war effort through his testing of guns for the Colt 
Company. Come 1942, Ben had been drafted into the U.S. Army as a combat 
medic in the 45th Infantry Division. Soon after his drafting, Ben met 
his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, and they married on July 14, 1944, in a 
Maine synagogue shortly before he was deployed to serve in the European 
theater. Ben's selfless nature manifested through his becoming a medic, 
starting a long legacy of sacrifice and consummate service to those in 
need. Through his service, Ben served as a shining beacon in an all-
enveloping sea of darkness. His service safeguarded the life and 
liberty of his fellow citizens and the peoples across Europe.
  Unforgettably, the U.S. Army 45th Infantry helped liberate Dachau 
concentration camp in 1945. Alongside his fellow soldiers, Ben bore 
witness to the deplorable condition of the victims of the concentration 
camp. Darkness and inhumanity enveloped Dachau. The scent of 
incinerated flesh hung heavily on the camp's air, and its prisoners 
stood in front of their liberators emaciated, so weak that any attempt 
at nourishment was rejected by their broken bodies. The extent of these 
crimes against humanity and decency left Ben speechless and 
traumatized. He would not speak of the camp or war experiences for 
decades to come.
  In 1990, Ben began to share his wartime experiences. Through an 
interview with a Torrington High School history teacher, Ben was able 
to open up about his personal history. This interview served as the 
genesis of

[[Page E189]]

Ben's new mission: to teach America's future generations of the impact 
of prejudice and bigotry, and to promote kindness and compassion. He 
spoke at many high schools, including Simsbury and Hall, about his 
wartime experiences. His lessons always included advocacy for kindness. 
He brought historical events from textbooks to life through his lived 
memories. Ben hoped that teaching this part of history would ensure 
that it would never be repeated.
  In 2010, Ben met Henny Simon, a liberated victim of the Nazi 
concentration camps. Until her death in 2017, the two visited high 
schools in Connecticut and taught classes on WWII. Students across 
Connecticut gained valuable insight on how precious a thing our 
liberties and rights are, and how fiercely they need to be defended. 
The pair were offered to include their experiences in a documentary 
titled ``In Times of War.'' Fortunately, their stories have been 
immortalized through their lessons and the documentary and countless 
news articles.
  Mr. Speaker, even in the darkest hour of our civilization, courageous 
truth tellers like Ben Cooper refuse to be silenced by fear or 
indifference. Ben's impact on our nation's citizens is immeasurable, 
and scores of young citizens will remember his stories and examples. 
Regrettably understanding the savagery of Nazi barbarism is of critical 
importance in the world we live in today. Our country should honor 
Ben's gentle kindness and conviction that touched thousands of fellow 
Americans. I ask that my colleagues join me in immortalizing Ben's 
story.

                          ____________________