[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO THOMAS STEPHEN COOK

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Madam President, today I rise to recognize and 
honor the life of Thomas Stephen Cook of West Enosburg, VT, who died 
Wednesday, November 21, after a 4-year fight with leukemia.
  Thomas, who was only 12, inspired those who witnessed his strength 
and courage as he battled against his sickness. I have known Thomas 
since his birth, and as his cousin, I can honestly say he was one of 
the most extraordinary young people I've had the pleasure to meet. In 
April, as the 2001 Children's Miracle Network Champion from Vermont, 
Thomas visited my Washington office. He was on his way to meet 
President Bush, before heading to Walt Disney World to participate in 
the national Children's Miracle Network telethon. When you met Thomas, 
you could see that, even though he was young, he had been through a 
lot. More than that, Thomas was tough. Only his positive and optimistic 
attitude towards life was greater than his determination to fight his 
disease.
  Thomas took his responsibilities with the Children's Miracle Network 
very seriously. He was also a fan of University of Vermont basketball. 
For four seasons, Thomas served the Catamounts as the ball boy for the 
men's basketball team. A column from the Burlington Free Press by 
Patrick Garrity about Thomas' role and influence on the team says:

       Thomas Cook would have been pleased with the effort.
       He would have loved T.J. Sorrentine's slashing drives. He 
     would have loved Grant Anderson's blue-collar play 
     underneath. He would have loved David Hehn's baseline-to-
     baseline energy and Trevor Gaines' work on the offensive 
     boards.
       Thomas wasn't at Patrick Gymnasium to see the University of 
     Vermont men's basketball team's near-upset of Cleveland State 
     on Saturday. He lost a long fight with leukemia last week. He 
     died at age 12.
       His customary position for Catamounts home games was down 
     the team's bench near the baseline, where he served the past 
     four seasons as a ball boy. As he battled his disease and 
     endured the cruel roller coaster of hope and despair the 
     disease became, Thomas fought alongside the Cats, too.
       He came to the sidelines four years ago soon after UVM 
     coach Tom Brennan learned of the little boy from Enosburg 
     Falls who had been diagnosed with a disease that kills 22,000 
     Americans each year. What began with a hospital visit from 
     then-freshman guard Tony Orciari blossomed into a brotherhood 
     between the two that seeped into the hearts of every player 
     on the team.
       ``He was a lot stronger than all of us,'' said senior 
     captain Corry McLaughlin. ``Our lives are cake compared to 
     what his was. To see him battling every day, to come out here 
     and be with us, let alone to make it through every day, he 
     was just a really strong kid.
       ``From his attitude, you would have never known he was 
     sick. He was happy every day, jovial and upbeat.''
       Here's hoping the next one goes in. For Thomas.

  Thomas will be fondly remembered by everyone who was fortunate to 
have known him.

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