SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 294
Commending Paul Ellis Cook.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2023

 

WHEREAS, Paul Ellis Cook, an esteemed member of the Richlands community whose distinctive announcements at Richlands High School football games over the past half-century were a revered tradition at the school, retired in 2022; and

WHEREAS, a member of the Richlands High School Class of 1953, Paul “Slick” Ellis Cook was a proud member of the Blue Tornado football team, sporting the number 46; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook attended what is now King University and was drafted into the United States Army in 1957, serving with the military police; thereafter he enjoyed a successful career as a longtime employee at the Richlands insurance agency Lindsey & Associates and as a funeral director assistant at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands for more than 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook has given generously of his time for the benefit of his community, serving as mayor of the Town of Richlands in the 1980s and with the Richlands Town Council and in leadership positions with the Richlands Masonic Lodge, Richlands Presbyterian Church, and Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook began his career as an announcer with the Richlands youth football league in 1968 and briefly called games for the Richlands High School junior varsity football team before becoming the public-address announcer and in-stadium voice at Richlands High School varsity football games in 1970; and

WHEREAS, for the past 52 years, Slick Cook has demonstrated remarkable dedication to the students, faculty, and staff of Richlands High School, missing only two games throughout his tenure, which was made possible through the loving support of his wife, Bonnie, and their daughters; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook has consistently demonstrated his love for the country in his capacity as announcer at Richlands Blue Tornado football games, demonstrating great reverence toward the National Anthem and respect toward the nation’s service members; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook called the first game of the Richlands High School football season in August 2022 as a touching farewell to the fans of Blue Tornado football who have admired his work over the years; and

WHEREAS, Slick Cook was honored as grand marshal at the Richlands High School homecoming parade in 2022, a fitting tribute to a man who has helped to make Richlands a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Paul Ellis Cook, a true Blue Tornado icon, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as the announcer of Richlands High School varsity football games; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Paul Ellis Cook as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service and sincere wishes for his continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.