88R26890 BPG-D
By: Alvarado, et al. S.R. No. 633
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A wave of sorrow rippled across the political divide
with the untimely death of Democratic strategist and commentator
Harold Lee Cook III on November 10, 2022, at the age of 61; and
WHEREAS, Born in Houston on January 16, 1961, to Martha
Rondeaux Cook and Harold L. Cook Jr., "Tres" Cook grew up with a
sister, Martha, and graduated from Bellaire High School; he worked
on offshore oil rigs and played in piano bars before getting around
to finishing his bachelor's degree at the University of Houston in
1988; finding his calling in politics, he served as an aide to
then-State Representative Debra Danburg and went on to work for two
Texas secretaries of state under Governor Ann Richards; he was team
leader of web marketing and public relations for the General Land
Office and advised scores of aspiring and elected officials,
ranging from promising neophytes to stars such as President Bill
Clinton and Governor Ann Richards; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1990s, Mr. Cook became executive
director of the Texas Democratic Party; a man of great warmth and
charm, with a wicked sense of humor, he became fast friends with his
opposite number in the Republican Party, and he enjoyed sparring
with him and many other pals on the other side of the aisle; his
daring, finesse, creativity, and people-wrangling skills were on
full display during the 2003 quorum break, when 11 Democratic state
senators holed up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a desperate bid to
derail a redistricting bill; with his assistance, they withstood
extreme pressure for more than six weeks, bringing a national
spotlight to the issue and energizing the party; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cook brought his acerbic wit and keen insight to
the launch of the Spectrum News program Capital Tonight,
contributing to its early success; a featured commentator, he
seldom missed a show, and after suffering a stroke, he was back on
the air in three weeks; his engaging blog and social media posts
were must-reads for the political set; over the years, he extended
his family with a large collection of friends, including the
legendary Molly Ivins; knowing his love of far West Texas, as her
days waned, she sold him her beautiful lot in Marathon; he built
himself a small casita with a big porch, where he and his exuberant
dog, Travis, liked to hold court and watch the sunset; and
WHEREAS, Harold Cook approached the rough-and-tumble world
of politics with a big heart as well as a shrewd mind, and his loss
is keenly felt by all who were privileged to share in the richness
of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Harold Lee Cook III and extend
sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his sister,
Martha Payne, and her husband, Tom; to his nephew, Matthew Payne;
and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Harold Cook.