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WHEREAS, Reverend Samson M. Cooper started his illustrious career in the church at the age of five, trekking through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, gaining the title of "boy preacher;" and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Cooper has been actively involved in the church at the Connectional level, the District level, and the Conference level since he was ordained a Traveling Elder at Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Pittsburgh in 1953; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Cooper has received an array of prestigious awards since 1963 from distinguished organizations including the UNFC Fundraising Award, the MCA Chairman's Award, and the Homes S. Brown Award from the NAACP of Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Cooper was appointed the Presiding Elder of the Pittsburgh District of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church in 2001 and will continue to serve in this capacity until his retirement; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Cooper will end his career after 66 remarkable years of leading his congregation with pride, compassion, and a supportive spirit.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh joins in recognizing Reverend Cooper's outstanding achievements and remarkable contribution to the A.M.E. Church as well as others worldwide; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh notes Reverend Samson's retirement and does hereby declare Saturday, August 18, 2007 to be "Reverend Samson Manoah Cooper Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.