[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5522-5523]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PAUL COOKE

 Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Director 
Paul Cooke of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control for 
his 35 years of service to Colorado.
  Paul's steadfast leadership throughout his career in fire and 
emergency services has had an extremely positive impact on Colorado's 
public safety. Mr. Cooke first began as a volunteer firefighter in 
1979, and he has since served in a variety of capacities as a career 
fireman, fire chief, and other influential roles in local and State 
government.
  Paul's contributions to Colorado's fire safety and first responder 
system are immeasurable. I commend his bravery and fortitude during 
times of tragedy, specifically his direction during the South Canyon 
fire.

[[Page 5523]]

  Additionally, his work with local and State officials developed and 
implemented some of Colorado's most significant fire prevention and 
safety programs. Most notably are the updates to the State's fire 
protection services, organization of the State-level fire and life 
safety programs, as well as the statewide first responder training 
programs.
  I thank Director Paul Cooke for his dedicated hard work throughout 
his entire career and congratulate him on a well-deserved 
retirement.

                          ____________________