[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31820]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING SANDRA COOK FOR HER YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
praise a public servant who is finishing 20 years of outstanding 
service to the Federal Government and a total of more than 30 years of 
public service. Members of Congress and their staff who are engaged 
with Federal education legislation have benefited from the wisdom and 
professionalism of Sandra Cook, Special Assistant in the Office of 
Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Department of 
Education. Sandra joined the Department in 1988, and has worked with 
Members of Congress and their staff on many of our most critical 
educational issues. In the past 10 years, she has specialized in 
elementary and secondary education, including No Child Left Behind. 
Sandra was involved in helping to pass NCLB and has kept the lines of 
communication open between the Executive and Legislative branches of 
Government.
  Sandra is a career civil servant who knows that Federal education 
policy matters. She has served under administrations of both parties 
and has consistently received internal recognition for her 
professionalism and commitment to excellence. Her quiet, thoughtful 
comments in congressional meetings and discussions with congressional 
staff have provided both with information and guidance. Sandra's 
Rolodex is renowned for both its size and breadth. And no matter how 
stressful the situation because of time pressures or personalities, 
Sandra has never lost her calm, composed, and friendly demeanor.
  After graduating from Southern Illinois University, where she was an 
honors student, Sandra Cook began her professional life as a teacher. 
She taught language arts and history for 6 years in West Lafayette, IN. 
Though she did not stay in the classroom as a career, those experiences 
shaped the rest of her professional life, particularly her work at the 
U.S. Department of Education.
  Sandra's public service prior to joining the Department included work 
for several Members of Congress: Representatives Robert Daniel, Jr., 
Tom Railsback, and Rod Chandler; and Senator Paul Trible. She also 
worked for Fairfax County Supervisor Farrell Egge in Virginia, who 
represented the Mt. Vernon district.
  As she retires from Government service and heads back to her family 
in her home State of Illinois, I am proud to thank Sandra Cook publicly 
on behalf of this Congress for her many contributions to our Nation and 
its students.

                          ____________________