Four cooperative heroes inducted into Cooperative Hall of Fame

On April 2, 2005, Pete Crear, Robert I. Kabat, and Charles and Eva Rappaport Wegner were inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Hundreds of people from across the nation gathered at a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, to congratulate them on earning this outstanding honor.

Master of Ceremonies Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as a Cooperative Hall of Fame member, emphasized that induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame is an honor given by the co-op and credit union community as a whole, and is thus a truly distinct honor. “It is about recognizing people who believe in the power of the cooperative idea, which combines two of the greatest ideas in Western civilization – private enterprise and democracy - in a hybrid that really works and serves communities” said Nilsestuen.

Pete Crear was honored for 40 years of dedication to cooperatives and credit unions. In particular, his work to extend credit unions to millions of people, including the urban poor and the disenfranchised, was highlighted, as was his devotion to enhancing leadership opportunities within the credit union movement for minorities. Crear humbly accepted the award, saying that there is no better honor than “an honor that comes from your peers”.

Bob Kabat, a co-op pioneer in the rural utility sector,gave an inspiring speech that challenged the co-op community to work for “brighter tomorrows”. He emphasized that we need to give “highest priority to establishing new co-ops and strengthening existing co-ops, and that we should never, never let one fail”. He also described the co-op business model as “the best”, and encouraged everyone to work to get the best people to serve on our boards, and to “find new ways to involve our young people”.

Edie Rappaport Amorese accepted the award for her late parents, Charles and EvaRappaport, who were active volunteers in the housing co-op sector. Edie acknowledged that her parents would have been pleased with the award, and said that she was “proud that my parents were pioneers in the type of living that has become a staple not only for New Yorkers, but also for families all over the United States”.

The Cooperative Hall of Fame was established by the National Cooperative Business Association and is housed in Washington, DC. It can also be visited on the Web, at www.heroes.coop.

The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) administers the Cooperative Hall of Fame. CDF is a national foundation that promotes self-help and mutual aid in community, economic, and social development through cooperatives. It works to empower people and help them help themselves.