Cooper Names Evans Director, Community Affairs

    HOUSTON, Feb. 20 Jennifer L. Evans has been appointed
Director, Community Affairs for Cooper Industries, Inc. .  In this
position, she is responsible for directing the Company's community relations
programs and serves as secretary of the Cooper Industries Foundation.  She
continues to report to Vicki Guennewig, vice president, Public Affairs.  In
2000, the Cooper Industries Foundation made gifts totaling more than
$3.5 million, primarily in support of vocational education, human services and
arts organizations in communities where the Company has facilities.
    Evans, 32, had been Manager of Corporate Giving Programs prior to this
promotion.  She started with Cooper in 1998 as a member of the public affairs
department.  Before joining Cooper, Evans was individual gifts manager with
the Alley Theatre in Houston.
    She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Texas
Public Relations Association and the National Association for Female
Executives.  Additionally, she serves as president, Board of Directors for
Houston's Corporate Community Relations Council, is a member of the Board of
Directors, Volunteer Houston, serves on the Advisory Board of the Women's Fund
for Health Education & Research, and is on the Advisory Council, Performing
Arts, Houston Community College.  Evans holds a BA degree in Humanities and
will be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Communications in May 2001 from the
University of Houston.
    Cooper Industries, with 2000 revenues of $4.5 billion, is a worldwide
manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware.  Additional
information about Cooper is available on the Company's Internet site:
http://www.cooperindustries.com.

     CONTACT:  John Breed
               (713) 209-8835