[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MATTIE COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, today I want to recognize a 
Mississippian who has been a true champion for Head Start for over 40 
years. This Friday, on April 27, 2007, the Winston County Complex 
Mississippi Action for Progress will celebrate the ``Mattie Cooper's 
Day.'' I join them in expressing my appreciation to Mattie for her love 
of Head Start. Her colleagues know her as a steadfast advocate with 
unwavering support for both the mission and the children of Head Start.
  Mattie Cooper knows Head Start. She started out as a teacher's 
assistant and progressed through the program. Currently she serves as 
the County Administrator for the Winston County Complex Mississippi 
Action for Progress, in Louisville, Mississippi. Her work is a calling, 
a mission, and she strives every day to make a difference in the lives 
of young Mississippians.
  Mattie Cooper started her career with the Wesley Education 
Association (WEA) in 1966. Recognizing her talents, they encouraged her 
to attend the Tuskegee Institute to obtain teacher certification. 
Following 5 years at Tuskegee, WEA asked her to participate in classes, 
workshops, seminars and conferences at various Mississippi universities 
to obtain her Social Worker's license. She earned her certification and 
WEA promoted her to Social Services Director. They also named her the 
Parent Involvement/Volunteer Coordinator. She continued her success in 
motivating the parents and community with phenomenal results.
  When Wesley Education Association joined the Mississippi Action for 
Progress (MAP), this new and stronger Head Start program promoted 
Mattie Cooper to Center Administrator. Quickly recognizing her talents 
and the potential of the Winston County Complex, MAP's executive 
director promoted Mattie to the highest position for the county: County 
Administrator.
  Mattie Cooper graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992 and number one in her 
class with an associate's degree from Mary Holmes College. In 1962, she 
was valedictorian of her high school. In addition to Head Start, she 
serves her community and church. She maintains the integrity of 
elections and confidence of voters in our democratic system as a 
Winston County Election Commissioner. And for almost 40 years, she has 
served as secretary for the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in 
Louisville.
  Mattie's dedication to service begins at home. For almost 45 years, 
she has been a supportive wife to William Cooper. Together, they have a 
daughter Sharon Cooper Johnson who, with her husband Robert Johnson, 
Jr., is rearing a new generation of this family in Robert (Tre) 
Johnson, III.
  I have known Mattie Cooper for over a decade and she makes her 
dedication to Head Start and her community evident and a priority in 
all her work. I hope Congress joins me in honoring this Mississippi 
servant-leader and commending her work at enhancing her community, 
supporting her church, training the children of Winston County, and 
nurturing her family. She is a tremendous pillar of Louisville and 
deserves the honor given her this Friday.

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