MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Hines, Williams-Barnes, Bell (65th), Johnson, Cockerham, Clark, Harness

House Resolution 40

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF REVEREND ROBERT L. COOK UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS.

     WHEREAS, the Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and exceptional public servant, Reverend Robert L. Cook, retired on February 28, 2021, after a remarkably distinguished career of exemplary leadership and service to the State of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, during his tenure as the Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Reverend Cook was the highest ranking African American in a state natural resource agency in the country; and 

     WHEREAS, the son of the late William Cook, Sr., and Florence Cook, Reverend Cook is a native of Magnolia, Mississippi, and graduated from South Pike High School before earning his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and correctional services from Jackson State University in 1978; and

     WHEREAS, after completing several semesters of graduate work in public administration, Reverend Cook began his professional career as a deputy sheriff in his hometown of Magnolia, Mississippi, in 1979, and just one year later, in July 1980, he became only the second African American to hold the position of criminal investigator for the State Attorney General's Office; and

     WHEREAS, in 1986, Reverend Cook was promoted in state service to Investigative Chief with the Office of the State Auditor, an appointment that began a trend in his career of becoming the first African American to hold senior management positions with a number of state agencies, including Director of the State Capitol Police, Director of Program Integrity and Inspector General for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Deputy Administrator for Administration for the Department of Human Services and Director of Administrative Services for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and

     WHEREAS, currently, Reverend Cook, an immensely proud and dedicated Jackson State University alumnus, is the chair and co-founder of the Jackson State University Tiger Fund, which is Jackson State's Athletic Foundation, a charter member of the Blue Bengal Athletic Association, chair of the Board of Directors for the Jackson State University Sports' Hall of Fame, a member of the Jackson State University Development Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the State of Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission; and

     WHEREAS, additionally, Reverend Cook is a past member of the Central Mississippi Sickle Cell Foundation's Board of Directors and the Mississippi Contract Review Board, past chair of the Southeastern Association of Wildlife and Fisheries Agencies' Minorities in Natural Resource Committee, president and founder of Metro Karate Clubs, Inc., and the National Martial Arts Alliance; and

     WHEREAS, Reverend Cook also serves as Senior Pastor of Seven Springs United Methodist Church in Raymond, Mississippi, as a member of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church and as a son of Anderson United Methodist Church; and

     WHEREAS, throughout his career, Reverend Cook has received unwavering support from his three sons, Chris, Carlos and Corey, and served as a mentor to many other young men throughout his community; and

     WHEREAS, Reverend Cook has been an incredible public servant to the Magnolia State not only as the Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, but also in the numerous other roles he held throughout state government, and his knowledge, skill and strenuous laboriousness will be dearly missed by all of his colleagues and others who were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him and experience his greatness; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the steadfast devotion to the betterment of Mississippi and honor the ardent vow to impeccable public service that Reverend Robert L. Cook bestowed upon the citizens of Mississippi as the Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Reverend Robert L. Cook upon the occasion of his retirement as the Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and extend sincere wishes for rest and relaxation in the lighter days ahead.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Reverend Robert L. Cook and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.