PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Judith Gorsuch, Member of the Public, on Linda Carter Cooper Street Co-naming
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Judith Gorsuch testifies in support of co-naming a street corner after Linda Carter Cooper, highlighting Cooper's significant contributions to the community, particularly her work with youth and her role as a neighborhood pillar.
- Cooper was heavily involved in the angel basketball program at the Church of Saint Matthew and Saint Timothy, providing support and encouragement to local children.
- She acted as a mentor, advocate, and protector for young people in the neighborhood, often intervening when they were falsely accused of wrongdoing.
- Cooper was active in community organizations and was known for her generosity, support, and attentiveness to neighbors' needs.
Judith Gorsuch
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Is it on?
0:14:21
Is it on?
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Okay.
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It's on.
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Yeah.
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My name's Judith Gorsuch.
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Linda was a guiding light to countless young people in our neighborhood.
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She devoted many hours to the angel basketball program at the Church of Saint Matthew in Saint Timothy.
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This program was open to all the children in the neighborhood.
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She provided listening ear to many of the program's participants.
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Students felt comfortable approaching her with their school issues and sometimes came to the Cooper home for moral support and encouragement.
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Linda, along with Tony, stressed the important of education and encouraged young people to do their best in school and they were fortunate enough to see many of these young people grow up, graduate from college, and in graduate school and come back and and let them know about it.
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Linda often went to bat for program participants and neighborhood youngsters who were falsely accused of wrongdoing.
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She was a caring figure for many young people in the community and they reached out to her when they were frightened.
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She was tough, and they knew that she would not be afraid to take a stand for them.
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She was also a trusted friend to her neighbors and served the community for years.
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She was on the Board of Elections, active in many Tonnons Association, and neighborhood, keeping track of the ups and downs of neighborhood lives.
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There were always small gifts for new babies and birthdays.
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There were meals, emergency cash at times, and above all, a listening ear and encouraging word when a neighbor was in need.
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When you walk down the street with Linda, so many people, young and old, would call out to check with her.
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She was a wonderful mentor and protector for our neighborhood.
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Young people, and she was an official mother, aunt, and sister to the entire neighborhood.
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It would be a fitting tribute to name the corner of West 84th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in honor of Linda Carter Cooper, recognizing her years of work in the neighborhood and her dedication to the surrounding community.
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Thank you.
