HR0080 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0080 LRB104 08266 ECR 18316 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bruce N. Cook of Belleville, who passed away on January 2, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook, the son of Victor N. and Dorothy (Thurston) Cook, was born in Parsons, Kansas on February 17, 1940; he was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois; he served aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy for four years; he attended Southern Illinois University in East St. Louis and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he served as student body president, was named to the Order of the Coif, and graduated as valedictorian; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook opened his own law firm in Belleville in 1969, where he represented countless working men and women in personal injury claims, practicing law for more than 55 years; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook served as a past president of the St. Clair County Bar Association and the East St. Louis Bar Association, and he was active with the Dorothy O. Cook Community Law Center, named after his mother, which houses the East St. Louis branch of the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was recognized as one of the top ten trial lawyers in the State of Illinois by the National Law Journal, and he was named a laureate by the Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook served as a committeeman for the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic State Central Committee's 22nd and 23rd Congressional Districts from 1988 to 2000; he accompanied U.S. President Jimmy Carter on campaign visits to Granite City and East St. Louis during Carter's second presidential campaign; he held an honorary gold card with Labor Local 100, and he was proud of the work he did with union members throughout Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook enjoyed reading, aviation, including stunt piloting, snow skiing, bicycling, fishing, playing with his dogs, and sharing food and wine with friends and family; in his later years, he loved spending time with his grandchildren most of all; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Susannah K. Marison; his sister, Elizabeth A. McQueen; and his parents-in-law, Wayne J. and Katherine C. Dressel; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Cook is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra (Dressel) Cook; his sons, Bruce R. Cook and Michael N. (Kori) Cook; eight grandchildren; his brother, Dr. Victor R. Cook; his sister, Dr. Jan (Dr. Douglas) Cook-Hansell; his son-in-law, Matthew Marison; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bruce N. Cook and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bruce Cook as an expression of our deepest sympathy.