[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. HENRY L. COOK, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this President's Day marks the 
nineteenth annual Black History Observance in Columbus, Georgia, but it 
also affords us the opportunity to recognize Dr. Henry L. Cook, Jr., 
who has chaired the event since 1988.
  For 35 years Dr. Cook has practiced dentistry in Columbus. A graduate 
of Tuskegee University and Meharry Medical College, he has defined 
excellence in his field and continues to serve on the Georgia Board of 
Dentistry, the Georgia Dental Association and the Georgia Medicaid 
Advisory Committee, among other boards and organizations.
  Yet beyond his chosen profession, Dr. Cook has used his life in 
service to others and his community. A veteran of the United States Air 
Force, he has received countless distinguished service awards for his 
work. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Minority Assistance 
Corporation, the Columbus Technical College, the Columbus Technical 
Foundation, the Columbus Business Development Center and the A.J. 
McClung YMCA and has served on the Muscogee Board of Education, the 
Metro Board of Health and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
  As chairman of the Annual Black History Committee, Dr. Cook has 
cemented the legacy of African Americans into the history of Columbus, 
Georgia. Under his guidance, the Annual Black History Observance, which 
was started by the late former Congressman Richard Ray to improve his 
relationship with the African-American community, has grown into a 
celebration of Black history that pays tribute to the individuals, 
organizations and institutions that have made lasting contributions to 
the history of Black Americans.
  Dr. Cook is married to the former Mamie Richmond and has three 
children, Dr. Cathy L. Cook, Dr. Henry L. Cook, II and Ms. Rosa 
Zanders. His extraordinary legacy in dentistry continues through Cathy 
and Henry II, who continue the family dental practice.
  This Monday, I will have the honor of presenting Dr. Henry L. Cook, 
Sr. with the Legacy Leadership Award and Congressman John Lewis, a true 
American hero and history maker, will be the featured guest speaker. 
However, here in this hallowed hall, I rise on behalf of the people of 
the Second Congressional District and the State of Georgia to honor the 
extraordinary contributions that Dr. Cook has made to the African-
American community, the City of Columbus, the State of Georgia and our 
great Country. His service is a model for all and we are grateful.

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