SENATE RESOLUTION 68

(By Senators Beach, Carmichael (Mr. President), Arvon, Azinger, Baldwin, Blair, Boso, Clements, Cline, Drennan, Facemire, Ferns, Gaunch, Jeffries, Karnes, Maroney, Maynard, Ojeda, Plymale, Prezioso, Romano, Rucker, Stollings, Swope, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, Weld, and Woelfel)

[Introduced March 10, 2018]

Memorializing the life of Stephen L. Cook, former member of the West Virginia Senate and the West Virginia House of Delegates, former Commissioner of Labor and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, Stephen L. Cook was born on December 30, 1941, in Clinton, Iowa, to Vernon and Bernice Cook. He received a B.B.A. and an M.A. in industrial relations and personnel from the University of Iowa; and

Whereas Stephen L. Cook married Carolyn A. Whitney and they moved to Morgantown, WV,  in 1967. They had three children, Craig, Matthew, and Stephanie; and

Whereas, Stephen L. Cook served as Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Labor, from 1977 to 1979. He was a Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for nine years and was a Member of the West Virginia Senate for the 14th District from 1983 to 1986, serving as Chairman of the Energy Industry and Mining Committee. He was also a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from West Virginia in 1996, 2000, and 2004; and

Whereas, Stephen L. Cook was also Assistant Business Manager for the West Virginia Laborers’ District Council for 16 years, President of Laborers’ Local 814, and served for 40 years as an officer and Delegate to the Monongalia-Preston Labor Council; and

Whereas, Stephen L. Cook was a Member of the West Virginia Political Science Association, the Industrial Relations Research Association, the Monongalia County Board of Education, and the West Virginia School Board Association. He also was a faculty member with West Virginia University’s Institute for Labor Studies and Research for 23 years; and

Whereas, Sadly, Stephen L. Cook passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Kaye (Blonairz) Cook whom he married on August 26, 1995; his brother, Gregory Cook; his sister Vicki (Cook) Baack; sons, Craig Cook, Matthew Cook, and Keith Blonairz; daughters, Stephanie (Cook) Radabaugh and Lisa Blonairz; and grandchildren, Stephanie Cook, Abigail Radabaugh, Jaxon Radabaugh, Marlea Blonairz, and Reina Blonairz; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of Stephen L. Cook, former member of the West Virginia Senate and the West Virginia House of Delegates, former Commissioner of Labor, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its most sincere condolences to the family of Senator Stephen L. Cook; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Senator Stephen L. Cook.