South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-14


hope that I have made every father
present here tonight see his respon-
slblity 30 the home. Our present
government in an age OF social NOR
al. and economic transition. 10 viii
be the boys present here tonight who
VIII have 90 settle these questions.
Through realizing your responsible
tiles, your sons VIII be brought up
strong and capable of settling these
problems.
Every father raised his hand and
took the pledge OF responsibility.
Mayor seebirt in Introducing
Coach ROckne. paid a glowing tri-
butte 20 him and 20 George Cooper.
the man honored a. the dinner.
ROckne's Tibute To Cooper.
Mr.. ROckne said.
This IS a most fitting occasion for
completing the recognition Of the
very courageous and skinful and
self-fOrgetful service done an Indian
Lake about one and one half years
ago by George Cooper, the physical
director Of our South Bend Young
Mems Christian Association. Every
one here Is familiar with the details
of that near tragedy when the raft
at Indian Lake. on which a dozen
men were working In an endeavOr
TO recover the body Of sam Pace.
capslzed, and the rescuers thrown
into the water BY the tremendous
efforts of some in that party, includ-
ing Sergt. Olmstead and officer
Kemmerly Of the -olice force and of
Cooper who peril med the almost
super human feat on rescuing three
Of the group including the divca
Capt. Donovan, who was at the mcr-
cy of the water In his heavy diving
suit from which the helmet had
been removed. no single life was lost.
"All the 'eagerness IN the world.
TO be Of service in the instant OF
such a disaster. could have accom-
pIished little unless Cooper had had
these careful years of training and
OF right living and of learning in ad-
vance what should be done TO over
come the effects Of such an accident.
I'm the enthusiastic desire 20 fit
tngly recognize the greatness of the
cred at the high school I'm a great
meeting 70 do honor 20 Cooper and
the others who had done heroic ser
vice. We all resolved that the mem
Ory of this service should be kept
ever fresh in the minds Of all the
boys who grow up in this county in
the years to come. Therefore, a fund
Of more than $4,000 was raised and
put In the hands of FIVE trustees,
representing the University club, the
Kawinas club, NOtre Dame uni
verslty. Telma Shrine and the Y VI.
G. A, with all Of which organizations
Cooper was closely identified, TO be
used In providing a suitable per-
manent memorial and annual medals
In recognition Of the successful boy
competitors in the Cooper Life
Tests which are now given each
year in the Y. NJ c. A. swimming
pool. This competition is open TO
every boy I'm st. Joseph county, be-
tween his 18th and 18th birthday.
and three medals are awarded in the
three classes of competition. To IN
sure the finest type of permanent
recognition the trustees commission
a one of the most famous sculptors
in America, Mr.. Emory p. Seidel. of
Chicago to execute the full length
bronze tablet Of Cooper's figure and
the simple inscription which you
have all read on the back Of your
program. For more than a year
Mr.. Seidel has been at work on this
tablet. and the bronze has been re-
ceived just in time to be here pub
lcly unveiled In the presence or
this notable gathering
1--WE Will all have opportunity to
study closely this splendid sculptur-
ed bronze as 1t hangs permanently
I'm the lobby of the Boys Division
here in the Y. NJ. C. "A. Two similar
tablets are soon 10 be unveiled in
the high school gymnasium, and in
the gymnasium at NOtre Dame 70
be a perpetual reminder TO us al
that we should fit ourselves now 20
meet every crisis Of life no matter
how unexpectedly it comes. II gives
rle pleasure. therefore. as a member
of the board of trustees of the
COoper Life Saving Fund TO present
20 the BOYS OF this county this bronze
tablet now to be mounted i'm the
y. ~. c. A"
Obcrlin Acceptance
Russell Oberlin gave the speech
or acceptance i'm behalf of the boys
+ uartmeut of the Y. N c. A. His