[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO NANCY WILSON COOK

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President. today I recognize the Honorable 
Nancy Wilson Cook of Kenton, DE. A legislator, stateswoman, sister, 
mother, grandmother and friend, I have known Nancy for many years and 
on many levels. I am very proud to be honoring her today.
  Born in Philadelphia, Nancy grew up in New Castle County and attended 
public school in the Colonial School District, graduating from William 
Penn High School. Nancy also attended the University of Delaware before 
marrying her beloved husband, the Honorable Allen J. Cook, and starting 
their family.
  Always curious about the political process, Nancy got her first taste 
of the political world when she worked as an attache to the late State 
Senator Calvin McCullough. For the next 20 years Nancy worked in 
Legislative Hall, in the Capital City of Dover, taking in the 
democratic process. Following the passing of her husband, Nancy was 
elected to the 15th District Senate seat held by Allen, during a 
special election.
  A role model of integrity and service, Nancy served not only as a 
State senator, but as a leader within the Democratic caucus. Nancy 
served as chairwoman and vice-chairwoman of the prestigious Joint 
Finance Committee, and is the longest-serving Joint Finance Committee 
cochair in Delaware history. As the first Democratic woman to be 
elected to the Delaware State Senate, Nancy held other leadership roles 
during her tenure including serving as senate majority whip, chairwoman 
of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, and chairwoman of 
the Joint Capital Bond Bill Committee. She also served as a member of 
the Senate Committees on Agriculture; Adult & Juvenile Corrections; 
Children, Youth & Families; Insurance & Elections; and, Revenue & 
Taxation.
  An icon in the Delaware General Assembly, Nancy's legislative 
accomplishments are vast. During my terms as both Delaware's treasurer 
and Governor, Nancy and I worked closely together on many financial 
issues facing the State of Delaware. Known for her immense knowledge of 
and experience with Delaware financial matters, I valued her input on 
many major decisions.
  Throughout my 8 years as Delaware's Governor, Nancy's leadership 
helped my administration pursue a commonsense agenda that led to eight 
balanced budgets, tax cuts in 7 of those 8 years, and major increases 
in employment allowing Delaware to achieve a AAA bond rating for the 
first time in its history. Nancy has been a strong ally for me on many 
occasions including creating Delaware's 21st Century Fund, the 
unprecedented State long-term infrastructure investment fund. In 1996, 
she was a very strong supporter of the purchase of the Port of 
Wilmington, which began the port's rejuvenation into one of the world's 
top ports.
  Another of her many noteworthy accomplishments was in the late 1970s 
and early 1980s with the enacting of the constitutional amendments and 
related legislation to establish Delaware's balanced budget amendment--
creating the State's ``Rainy Day Fund'' and a formula for reducing bond 
indebtedness. Nancy was also very active with the Legislative Council 
leading the way for the conversion and renovation of both Legislative 
Hall and the Tatnall Building allowing for better public access to the 
General Assembly and the Governor. She has also been a strong supporter 
of the Wilmington Riverfront, serving on the board of directors of the 
Riverfront Development Corporation, as well as information technology, 
historical and cultural affairs and the Delaware Heritage Commission's 
Delaware Oral History Project.
  Nancy leaves a legacy of commitment to public service for her family 
and the rest of us to follow. I join her friends and family, son Tommy, 
his wife Beth and their daughter Morgan; stepson Allen, his wife Judy 
and their children Allen III, Dale, and Shawn and their wives and 
children in congratulating Nancy for her dedication and service.
  On behalf of all Delawareans, I applaud Nancy W. Cook for her 
outstanding commitment to the State of Delaware and extend to her my 
very best wishes for every success in the future.

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