U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy today announced that a bill has passed in the Senate to rename an East Rockaway Post Office after John J. Cook, a dedicated and beloved postal worker. The bill renames an East Rockaway post office for Cook, a World War II veteran who worked at the post office located at 10 Main Street in East Rockaway, NY, as one of the longest serving mailmen in United States Post Office history. John J. Cook retired in 2005 after walking the same 8 mile route for 60 years, leaving a legacy of dedicated work to the United States Post Office and the East Rockaway community.
“John J. Cook was an everyday hero; a World War II vet from the greatest generation, and a lifelong postal worker who walked the same 8 mile route for 60 years. This is a fitting recognition he earned and has long deserved.” said Schumer. “His compassion and commitment to his work was unparalleled. With 60 years of service in East Rockaway and a tour of duty under his belt, renaming the post office is the least we can do to honor his memory.”
“For the past six decades, John Cook has humbly served the East Rockaway community and brought a special humanity to his dedication and work,” said Gillibrand. “By naming the East Rockaway Post Office after John Cook, we pay tribute to the service and heart of this extraordinary man.”
“John Cook served the East Rockaway community as a letter carrier for multiple generations of families. For over 60 years, he proved to be a model federal employee by displaying professionalism, courtesy, and tireless dedication. He was truly a remarkable individual and this will be a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man,” said McCarthy.
Cook enlisted in the Navy during World War II, and survived a 1945 attack in Japan in which 724 men were killed and 255 were wounded. Starting his position at the post office at age 17 and continuing it after his tour of duty, Cook maintained his route in East Rockaway at the post office from 1949 through 2005. Cook trekked through rain, snow, sleet and hail on his daily 8 mile route to ensure the daily mail was always delivered on time, racking up 150,000 miles over the years.
Schumer, Gillibrand and McCarthy said today that renaming the Rockaway Post Office after Cook would be a fitting tribute for this dedicated postal worker who served his community and his country for so many years. The bill has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and awaits President Obama’s signature to become law.