HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 515 Offered March 6, 2006 Commending Dr. James N. Cooper. ---------- Patrons-- Scott, J.M. and Callahan; Senator: Howell ----------

WHEREAS, Dr. James N. Cooper, who retired in December 2005, is recognized for his outstanding service as a member of the Inova Fairfax Hospital medical staff for 35 years and chairman of the Department of Medicine for 23 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. James N. Cooper graduated from Columbia University, earned a medical degree from New York University, completed residency training at Georgetown University and Boston City Hospital, and received specialty training in gastroenterology at the University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cooper served as a member of the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board from 1988 to 1996 and was the first chairman of its Environmental Health Committee, and served as a member of the Health Committee for the Northern Virginia Community Foundation; and

WHEREAS, from 1991 to 1996, Dr. Cooper provided consultation and lectures to international medical facilities in Taiwan, Hungary, China, Korea, and Russia, in order to enhance and improve the delivery of medical care; and

WHEREAS, from 2000 to 2001, Dr. Cooper volunteered his time and expertise to help the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute improve the care given to patients; the resulting model became the standard of care for persons with mental health needs in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 Dr. Cooper and the members of the Department of Medicine were honored by the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area for Human Rights for the department's involvement in providing medical care for patients seeking political asylum in the United States after suffering political torture; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cooper also assisted in implementing the Community Health Care Network, providing guidance to county staff on a wide range of health programs; and

WHEREAS, leading by example and garnering the support of his colleagues, Dr. Cooper has offered assistance in the development of the Physicians Specialty Network, which serves the Affordable Health Care centers; and he has encouraged medical students and residents to participate in the care of patients at the centers;  now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. James N. Cooper for his longtime and distinguished service as a member of the Inova Fairfax Hospital medical staff and as chairman of the Department of Medicine; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. James N. Cooper as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his dedication to the citizens of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful retirement.