[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING EDMUND COOK

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. Edmund Cook 
for his many years of service to American Legion Post 506, and to 
veterans in Westchester County, New York.
  Born in Lithuania in 1945, Edmund Cook was separated from his family 
in the closing days of World War II. After being found and fed by 
American soldiers, he was put in a ``displaced persons (DP)'' Red Cross 
camp for five years until he was adopted by an American family. The 
kindness shown to him by those American soldiers would have a lasting 
impact on Mr. Cook, and would lead to a lifelong career of helping 
veterans.
  After receiving a masters degree from Fordham University, Edmund 
joined the Veterans Administration (VA) at the Montrose, New York, VA 
Hospital facility as a Clinical Social Worker. In 1991, he was 
transferred to the White Plains, New York, Veterans Center to help 
soldiers suffering from PTSD in the aftermath of the Iraq War. He soon 
started treating veterans from all wars, and has worked tirelessly to 
ensure they all receive the care they need. He would even go to 
homeless shelters to seek out veterans in need of medical treatment, 
and would collect clothes to give veterans.
  For the past 30 years, Mr. Cook has chaired the Boys State Program 
for Ossining Post 506 American Legion. This program offers high school 
boys the opportunity to learn how our government works, from the local 
and state level to the Federal Government. It is an important learning 
experience for young men who might one day seek opportunities in 
government work. Mr. Cook has infused his passion for helping others 
into this program, and he continues to inspire young men every year.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Edmund Cook of Ossining, NY, 
for his lifetime of service to the veterans and youth of my district. 
His work has inspired others to help those in need, and he has truly 
lived up to the Veterans Administration motto, ``to care for him who 
shall have borne the battle.'' I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring his tremendous accomplishments.

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