HAUPPAUGE, NY–At yesterday's organizational meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) was sworn into office for his sixth and final, two-year term. He vowed to continue his tradition of hard work and innovative legislation. Cooper is prohibited from running for office again because of term limits.

Cooper was first elected to County office in 2000, when Democrats were still in the minority in the Legislature. Despite this, Cooper's nonpartisan nature and pioneering spirit allowed him to rack up an impressive record of accomplishments, including the nation's first ban on the use of cell phones while driving. That campaign's "Hang Up And Drive!" bumper stickers can be seen on thousands of cars all around the New York metro area and continue to be requested regularly from Cooper's office by safety-minded drivers across the nation.

Cooper is also proud of his successful effort to prohibit the sale of the deadly dietary supplement ephedra, and his passage of one of the nation's toughest sex offender residency restriction laws.

A staunch environmental advocate, Cooper has helped preserve thousands of acres of open space, led the fight to keep the Broadwater liquefied natural gas terminal out of the Long Island Sound, and was the first elected official on Long Island to be named "Environmentalist of the Year" by the Sierra Club.

When Democrats finally won enough legislative seats to become the majority in 2005, Cooper was the person they chose to lead their caucus, making him the first Democratic Majority Leader in County history. Cooper's colleagues recently re-elected him to that leadership post for an incredible fifth consecutive time. Resisting the temptation to ease up and enjoy his "senior statesman" status, citing the many challenges that continue to face the County, Cooper has instead rolled up his sleeves and already hit the ground running. At yesterday's meeting, Cooper introduced legislation to enhance public safety by making the Police Commissioner's job more accountable by placing a fixed term on the position.

"I can't believe how fast ten years have gone by," Cooper said. "Despite everything I've worked so hard to accomplish, there's even more I want to do---and will do---for the people of this great County in my final two years."

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