[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WILLIAM A. COOK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and salute an 
exceptional Hoosier, William A. Cook. Sadly, we lost Bill on April 15. 
I wish to express my condolences to his family who knew him as husband, 
father, and grandfather.
  To Indiana, Bill's leadership was a shining example of the type of 
leadership everyone should strive to achieve. Marked by common sense, 
his leadership embodied the qualities emblazoned in the Hoosier spirit. 
Bill's focus on service above self; both in building great businesses 
and in improving our community has left us all a better place to live, 
work, and raise a family.
  As a man of faith, I believe we were put on this earth to love one 
another and to make the best of the gifts our Lord has provided. We are 
all blessed to live in a country that allows us to experience freedom 
and the opportunity to succeed. When I look at the life story of a man 
who built a business empire that began in a spare bedroom in an 
apartment, employed thousands around the globe, and provided life 
saving, and life-altering technology to millions more, all I can say is 
Amen. Well done.
  Bill Cook exemplified the American dream in every way. The amazing 
narrative of his life will live on, not only through the Cook Group and 
the many companies that Bill created, but through his family and 
through the incalculable number of Hoosiers he helped through the 
years. I would like to thank his family for sharing Bill with us. We 
are a community that will not soon forget him.

                          ____________________