[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING STATE SENATOR CHARLES D. COOK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to call to the attention of our 
colleagues a truly remarkable gentleman whose sterling career in public 
service is unfortunately about to end.
  Charles D. Cook was originally elected to the New York State Senate 
in 1978, having previously served three terms in the Assembly. In his 
capacity as a State Senator, he became one of the most respected public 
servants in our state, and by the time he announced his retirement 
earlier this year, he was truly revered by his constituents and 
colleagues alike.
  Charlie is a native of Deposit, New York, in the beautiful upper 
Delaware River valley. Educated in local schools, Charlie graduated 
from Hartwick College. Soon after leaving college, Charlie became the 
editor of a local newspaper, having adopted journalism as a way of 
serving his neighbors. Except for a distinguished stint in the U.S. 
Army, he continued his journalistic career until 1965, when he was 
elected by his neighbors to the position of Treasurer of Delaware 
County, NY. In 1971, he was appointed commissioner of Social Services 
in that County, and was elected to the State Assembly in 1972.
  Charlie most especially made his mark in the State Senate as Chairman 
of the Committee on Education. In that position, he made clear his 
commitment to the young people, on which our future rests. Recognizing 
the need to remain competitive on the ever-shrinking world marketplace, 
Charlie always adhered to the belief that education is the most 
valuable investment we make as a people.
  Charlie also served on the Committees on Agriculture, Children & 
Families, Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections; Health; Housing and 
Community Development; Local Government; and Tourism, Recreation and 
Sports Development. Charlie has long been active with the National 
Conference of State Legislatures, and served as Chairman of the 
Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. He is a former member of the 
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health.
  Charlie and his lovely wife, the former Dorothy Behrens, live in 
Delhi, NY, not far from his birthplace. They are members of the United 
Ministry of Delhi, and are the proud parents of a daughter, Linda, and 
two sons, John and Jeffrey.
  Earlier this year, the political establishment of our region was 
thunderstruck by the announcement that Senator Charles D. Cook would 
not be seeking re-election in 1998, choosing instead to spend more time 
with his family. While we are losing an outstanding legislator, leader 
and community servant, we recognize that few persons have done more to 
earn retirement than has Charlie Cook.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to join with me in saluting a 
true, dedicated official, and extend to Charlie and Dorothy our best 
wishes for a long, happy, healthy and productive retirement.

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