WHEREAS, Dom Cooks is a truly amazing young man who has already accomplished so much to strengthen Decatur High School, to improve the entire city of Federal Way, and to help make our whole state of Washington a far better place for the rest of us to call home; and
     WHEREAS, Two years ago, doctors diagnosed Dom Cooks with a malignant, inoperable brain tumor; and
     WHEREAS, Tumor or no tumor, Dom Cooks -- Decatur High School's beloved and revered hero -- has never backed away from any challenge or encounter that his young life has thrown at him; and
     WHEREAS, On his way to recently and triumphantly earning a Decatur High School diploma, Dom Cooks has battled adversity like very few people of any age are forced to do so; and
     WHEREAS, His mother, Tasha Wade; his twin sister, Diamond Cooks; his Grandmother Faye Wade; and his Aunt Charmayne Harper are the loving family and bedrock foundation for this extraordinary young man; and
     WHEREAS, Young Mr. Cooks, though only eighteen years old, absolutely epitomizes the words "courage," "spirit," and "inspiration" -- and thoroughly exemplifies the phrase "strength of character"; and
     WHEREAS, Not to be denied, the unwavering spirit of this indomitable young man demonstrated itself in his school's homecoming football game in which Cooks took a pitch from a teammate and then scrambled his way into the end zone for a Gator touchdown; and
     WHEREAS, Classmates at Decatur High School selected Dom Cooks to serve in leadership as an Associated Student Body officer; and
     WHEREAS, His schoolwide daily announcements always include an inspirational message every morning; and
     WHEREAS, Indeed, an article in a recent issue of the Federal Way Mirror newspaper reported that Dom Cooks wants to be a motivational speaker after he defeats cancer; and
     WHEREAS, He says in the newspaper item: "I'm just trying to make the most of my life. I want to give back to kids and let them know that nothing is impossible"; and
     WHEREAS, No weapon formed against Cooks shall prosper, for he is more than a conqueror;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives celebrate the spirit and perseverance of Federal Way's Dom Cooks; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the family of Dom Cooks, and to his cherished Decatur High School.