The publication is reproduced in full below:
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.''
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.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 113
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up