SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 633
In Memory
of
Harold Cook
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 State of Texas, 88th
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.
Alvarado
Blanco Johnson Miles Blanco Johnson Miles
Blanco Johnson Miles
Eckhardt LaMantia West Eckhardt LaMantia West
Eckhardt LaMantia West
Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire
Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire
Hinojosa Zaffirini Hinojosa Zaffirini
Hinojosa Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 26, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Blanco Johnson Miles
Eckhardt LaMantia West
Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire
Hinojosa Zaffirini