SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 199

In Memory

of

Gregg A. Cooke

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Dallas in mourning the loss of Gregg A. Cooke, an exemplary public servant and a recognized expert in the field of environmental law, who passed away on September 17, 2006, at the age of 51; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1955 in Abilene, Gregg Cooke demonstrated his resolve at a young age by taking part in Boy Scout activities and eventually becoming an Eagle Scout; later, this sense of dedication was evident in his academic pursuits, which included earning a bachelor's degree from Baylor University, a master's degree from the University of Virginia, and a degree from Baylor Law School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cooke began his career in public service when he joined the executive staff of Texas Governor Mark White; he then turned to private practice with the law firm of Geary, Stahl and Spencer in Dallas; his focus on environmental issues came to the fore when he was appointed chief of the Natural Resources Protection and Energy Division of the Office of the Texas Attorney General; in this capacity, he acted as the state's North American Free Trade Agreement environmental liaison and as the interim general counsel for the Border Environmental Corporation Commission in Juarez, Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cooke took his considerable talents to the national stage in 1998, when President Bill Clinton appointed him the administrator of Region VI for the Environmental Protection Agency; he was retained in this position by President George W. Bush and served until 2003; he was later appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Act Advisory Committee; a passionate environmental champion, Mr. Cooke proposed a number of innovative solutions to environmental problems and was well known for bringing together unlikely partners to achieve results; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his state and federal assignments, his legal career included work as an environmental lawyer with Haynes and Boone in Austin and Guida, Slavich and Flores in Dallas and work as a consultant with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation of Washington, D.C.; Mr. Cooke was also an active leader in the community; his commitments included supporting the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas and serving on the Texas Lyceum Board of Directors; a devout Christian, he attended the First United Methodist Church of Dallas, where he was a member of the choir; and

WHEREAS, Gregg Cooke was a loving husband and father who enjoyed taking part in youth activities with his daughter and traveling the world with his family; he touched the lives of many through his generosity and compassion and his enthusiasm and quick wit, and he will long be remembered with affection and appreciation by all who were fortunate enough to share in his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby honor the life of Gregg A. Cooke and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: his wife, Melanie Cooke; his daughter, Clara Cooke; his parents, Horace and June Cooke; his brother, David Cooke, and his wife, Michele; and his brother, Raymond Cooke, and his wife, Pattie; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gregg A. Cooke. Averitt, Carona

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 13, 2007, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate