SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION

11104313D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 787
Offered February 2, 2011
Celebrating the life of Wilbert Thomas Cooke, Jr.
----------
Patrons-- Keam; Senator: Petersen
----------

WHEREAS, Wilbert Thomas Cooke, Jr., a retired police officer and youth football coach from Fairfax, died on November 6, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Wilbert “Tom” Cooke dedicated his career to the protection and service of his fellow citizens as a member of the Metropolitan Police Department; and

WHEREAS, as an officer in one of the 10 largest local police agencies in the United States, Tom Cooke exemplified honesty, integrity, and professionalism; and

WHEREAS, following his retirement from the Metropolitan Police Department, Tom Cooke applied his unique skills and energies as the security administrator with JMS in Vienna; and

WHEREAS, respected for his strong commitment to principled play, Tom Cooke coached youth football in the Washington, D.C., area for 26 years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cooke recognized the important role that athletic competition plays in building the character of young participants and conceived and established the Youth Sports Program, now known as Vienna Youth, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, fulfilling the vision of Tom Cooke, Vienna Youth, Inc., offers competitive programs in basketball, football, lacrosse, cheerleading, track and field, cross country, wrestling, and volleyball for children ages five through 18; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cooke was admired for the valuable leadership and guidance he gave to hundreds of young athletes from northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, to honor the memory of Tom Cooke, Vienna Youth, Inc., created the Cooke Memorial Fund in recognition of a dedicated community volunteer who brought so many athletic opportunities to the youth of Vienna; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his son Tommy, Tom Cooke will be fondly remembered by Ruth, his wife of 54 years; his children Ron, Don, and Lani; his six grandchildren; and the many friends, neighbors, and young athletes whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Wilbert Thomas Cooke, Jr., an admired retired police officer and youth football coach; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Wilbert Thomas Cooke, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.