[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 157 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1282-E1283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL (RET.) ROBERT ANDREW COCROFT, UNITED 
                           STATES (U.S.) ARMY

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2018

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brigadier 
General (Ret.) Robert Andrew Cocroft, U.S. Army veteran who passed away 
on September 12, 2018. He was born to Willie Tilmon Cocroft and Louise 
Cocroft (Gee) on November 16, 1946, in Conway, Mississippi. The Cocroft 
family settled in Milwaukee in 1947.
  Robert received his formal education in the Milwaukee Public School 
system and was a fellow graduate of North Division High School in 1965. 
In 1966, while attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on a 
football scholarship he was drafted into the U.S. Army but opted to 
attend Officer Candidate School to become an infantry officer. He was a 
Vietnam-era veteran who served overseas duty in the Republic of Korea. 
He joined the 84th Division of the Army Reserve in Wisconsin and 
climbed the chain of command until earning the rank of Brigadier 
General. At the conclusion of his military career, he was the Assistant 
Division Commander of Operations for the 98th Division having commanded 
at the company, battalion and brigade levels over his 40 years of 
active and reserve military service. He officially retired in 2006.
  At the time of his passing, he had served as President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the nonprofit Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd. 
(CVI) for over 14 years. In addition to advocating for the needs of 
veterans, CVI services include housing for low-income, homeless, 
minority and women veterans including their families. CVI is 
distinguished as the largest private provider of transitional housing 
and permanent supportive housing for veterans in Wisconsin.
  Robert served as Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of 
Veterans Affairs from 1994 to 2002. He had the overall responsibility 
for the Department's day-to-day operations, which included 
administration and management of 900 full-time employees, departmental 
administrative services, as well as, coordination and direction of 
strategic planning and program development.
  Robert was the immediate past National Commander of the National 
Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) which was established in 1973, 
through the combined efforts of Robert Cocroft, Willie Sims, and Thomas 
Wynn (deceased) to advocate on behalf of its members. NABVETS currently 
has chapters in 80 cities throughout the United States and is certified 
by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a claims representative 
for veterans.
  He was a life-long learner and continued his training/education while 
working and going to school full-time to earn a Bachelor of Science in 
Agricultural Business Management, Master of Arts in Public Policy and 
Administration both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Officer 
Candidate School, U.S. Army Paratrooper Airborne School, and the U.S. 
Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, P A.
  Robert leaves behind his beloved wife of 49 years, Jacqueline D. 
Cocroft to mourn his passing. Additionally he leaves a strong legacy of 
leadership for his children, Dianna Killins (Cocroft), Robert H. 
Cocroft and his adopted daughter Annette (Michael) Miller, Grandsons--
Devin Tyree Cocroft, Isiah H. Cocroft, Robert T. Cocroft, Jonavan M. 
Cocroft, Michael A. Killins, Malik A. Killins, Mekhi A. Killins. 
Granddaughters--Arianna I. Cocroft, First Lieutenant Michelle A. 
Killins, USAR. Great-grandchildren--McKayla A. Killins and Morgan A. 
Killins and a host of other family and friends.
  Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert Andrew Cocroft was a true servant 
leader, as demonstrated by his commitment to veteran affairs, as well 
as, serving on numerous boards and committees both locally and 
nationally. Robert was my friend and a Milwaukee and Wisconsin 
treasure. I valued his service to the 4th Congressional District, 
including his service as Co-Chair of the 4th Congressional District 
Academy Advisory Committee, his commitment to building safe 
transitional housing for veterans in the district, and his advocacy on 
behalf of low-income minority and female veterans. I urge my colleagues 
in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in a salute to late 
Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert Andrew Cocroft.

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