Indiana House lawmakers recently recognized State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) with a resolution honoring his eight years of service representing House District 32.
“The friendships and memories I made over the last eight years will stay with me forever,” Cook said. “It’s been a pure joy and absolute honor to serve the great state of Indiana and work alongside such wonderful people at the Statehouse. I look forward to spending more time with my wife, my sons and grandchildren.”
Cook announced his retirement last September and will not seek re-election after completing his current term in office.
Before serving in the Indiana General Assembly, Cook spent 42 years working as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. His experience as an educator led him to champion several laws supporting Hoosier students and schools. Cook authored and co-authored laws strengthening school safety, providing mental health services to more students and implementing civics courses in middle school curriculum.
Cook also made history in 1987 as the first high school principal in the country to fight the stigma surrounding AIDS by opening his school’s doors to Ryan White, a high school student who was diagnosed with the disease. Cook continued to advocate on behalf of White by launching a campaign to educate the community about AIDS.
The Association of Indiana Architects several times named Cook Legislator of the Year, and he also received awards from the Humane Society, the Indiana School Counselors Association, Indiana School Health Network and the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
“I know his commitment to his wife, to his family, Kathy and the boys,” said House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers). “People say he’s a mentor, he’s a coach, he’s a friend, and he’s all of those things. He’s a tremendous husband, a tremendous father and a tremendous son. Whether you were a student, whether you were a family member, whether you were a colleague, Tony Cook is just one of those people who has your back and you just desperately want to have his.”
Cook is chair of the House Statutory Committee on Ethics, and is a member of the House Education Committee, the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.
Cook and his wife, Kathryn, reside in Cicero, and together they have two grown sons.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.