Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul Cook, the only Cal State San Bernardino alumnus to serve in Congress, delivered the keynote address at the Marine Corps 241st birthday celebration held by the university’s Veterans Success Center on Nov. 4.
The celebration, which included Marine Corp veterans past and present, was held at the university’s Upper Commons by the center, which was created to provide support services focusing on the special needs and requirements of today's military veterans, service members and dependents to assist them in transitioning to the university environment and achieve their academic and personal development goals.
The center, which opened its doors in 2012, offers dynamic programs that are comprehensive in scope and sensitive to the unique needs of service members to include new student veterans' orientation, monthly seminar series, a weekly mental health support group, STEM tutoring, and advocacy and referral services.
The United States Marine Corps is responsible for providing power projection, using the mobility of the United States Navy to, by Congressional mandate, rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces on land, at sea, and in the air.
Cook, who earned a master’s degree in public administration from the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus and taught at the campus, served as an infantry officer in Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Cook’s military career spanned 26 years. His actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with a V for valor. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1992 as a colonel.
Cook represents California’s 8th Congressional District, which includes the high desert communities of San Bernardino County as well as Mono and Inyo counties. He serves on the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Natural Resources committees. He currently serves as the Congressional representative to NATO.
Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Cook represented the 65th Assembly District for six years in the California State Legislature and served on the Yucca Valley Town Council. Cook lives in Yucca Valley with his wife, Jeanne.