[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 571 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 10, 2002.
Whereas for 44 years, David O. ``Doc'' Cooke's tireless dedication, skill, and 
        involvement in Department of Defense management issues earned him the 
        respect of his colleagues and distinction as a Pentagon institution;
Whereas as the quintessential civil servant, Doc Cooke rose to become the 
        highest ranking career civil servant within the Department of Defense;
Whereas in his jobs as the Director of Administration and Management for the 
        Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director of Washington 
        Headquarters Services, Doc Cooke was responsible for maintenance, 
        operation, and security of buildings of the Department of Defense in the 
        Washington, D.C. area, including the Pentagon Reservation;
Whereas because of his propensity to make things happen, Doc Cooke was 
        respectfully known as the ``Mayor of the Pentagon'';
Whereas Doc Cooke was born in 1920 in Buffalo, New York, and went on to earn a 
        bachelor's degree in education from the State Teachers College at 
        Buffalo in 1941, a master's degree in political science from the New 
        York State College for Teachers in 1942, and a law degree in 1950 from 
        George Washington University, where he was a member of the Law Review;
Whereas Doc Cooke served in the Navy during World War II as an officer on the 
        USS Pennsylvania; returned to active duty during the Korean war, during 
        which time he served as an instructor in the School of Naval Justice; 
        and retired in 1968 as a Navy captain;
Whereas Doc Cooke served on Defense Secretary Neil McElroy's task force on 
        Department of Defense reorganization in 1958; worked for Defense 
        Secretary Robert McNamara, as Director of the Office of Organizational 
        and Management Planning, implementing changes in Department of Defense 
        organization; and worked for every other Secretary of Defense since 
        then;
Whereas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Doc Cooke was a strong advocate 
        for renovation of the Pentagon;
Whereas many of the construction specifications supported by Doc Cooke helped to 
        save lives during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 
        2001;
Whereas Doc Cooke could be seen assisting in the response to the terrorist 
        attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001;
Whereas throughout the Department of Defense, Doc Cooke was noted for his strong 
        support of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, and 
        individuals with disabilities;
Whereas Doc Cooke was instrumental in establishing a Public Service Academy at 
        Anacostia High School in the District of Columbia, which has helped to 
        increase the graduation rate of students;
Whereas Doc Cooke served as a member of the seven-member Governance Committee of 
        United Way of the National Capital Area's September 11 Fund, deciding 
        how to distribute disaster relief funds collected after September 11;
Whereas Doc Cooke has been recognized for his extraordinary performance through 
        numerous awards, including the Department of Defense Medal for 
        Distinguished Civilian Service (the Department's highest department 
        career award) seven times; the Department of Defense Medal for 
        Outstanding Public Service; the Department of Defense Medal for 
        Distinguished Public Service twice; the Roger W. Jones Award for 
        Executive Leadership from American University (1983); the NAACP Benjamin 
        L. Hooks Distinguished Service Award (1994); the Presidential 
        Meritorious Rank Award (1994); the Government Executive Leadership Award 
        (1995); a Presidential Distinguished Rank Award (1995); a National 
        Public Service Award (1997); the President's Award for Distinguished 
        Federal Civilian Service (1998), the highest Government service award; 
        the John O. Marsh Public Service Award (2000); the Senior Executives 
        Association Board of Directors Award (2001); the Nelson A. Rockefeller 
        College of Public Affairs and Policy Distinguished Alumnus Award (2001); 
        an award from the University at Albany Alumni Association for 
        ``Recognition for Outstanding Service'' (2001); and the American Society 
        of Public Administration Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for 
        Distinguished Service (2002); and
Whereas on June 22, 2002, Doc Cooke died as the result of injuries sustained in 
        an automobile accident, after a long and distinguished career in 
        government, in which he became the model for civil servants: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes David O. ``Doc'' Cooke's legendary professionalism as 
        a model civil servant;
            (2) honors Doc Cooke's life; and
            (3) extends its condolences to the Cooke family and the Department 
        of Defense community on the death of an extraordinary human being.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.