[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT MATTHEW COOKE, RECIPIENT OF THE 
                              PURPLE HEART

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2015

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Army 
Sergeant Matthew Cooke, a recipient of the Purple Heart from North 
Carolina's 8th Congressional District.
   Sergeant Cooke was one of thirty-two wounded during the 2009 
shooting at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. On November 5, 2009, Nidal 
Hasan opened fire at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, killing 
13 people and wounding 32 and without the courageous actions of 
Sergeant Cooke, the death toll would likely have been higher.
   When Sergeant Cooke saw a non-commissioned officer shot in the 
torso, he draped himself on the higher-ranking soldier to shield him 
from Hasan. He was shot five times in the act of protecting another's 
life.
   Recovering physically and mentally from the massacre at Fort Hood 
has been a continuing struggle for Sergeant Cooke. Despite serving two 
deployments in Iraq, Sergeant Cooke's greatest injuries and 
selflessness took place on home soil. I am overjoyed that Sergeant 
Cooke is finally receiving the Purple Heart and well-deserved 
recognition for his heroic actions.
   It is an honor to extend these remarks today to congratulate United 
States Army Sergeant Matthew Cooke for receiving the Purple Heart and 
to thank him for his brave and selfless service.

                          ____________________