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{{Short description|American politician (1924–2013)}}
{{Infobox state representative
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Rodney Mims Cook, Sr.
|image = Rodney Mims Cook, Sr..jpg
| name = Rodney Mims Cook Sr.
| image = Rodney Mims Cook, Sr..jpg
|office = Member of the [[Georgia House of Representatives]]
| state_house = Georgia
|term_start = 1967
| district = 123rd – Post-1
|term_end = 1973
| predecessor1 =
|predecessor =
| successor1 =
|successor =
| state_house2 = Georgia
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|3|23|mf=yes}}
| district2 = [[Georgia's 95th House of Representatives district|95th]] – Post-1
|birth_place = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (United States)|Georgia]], U.S.
| predecessor2 =
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|1|13|1924|3|23}}
| successor2 =
|death_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|3|23|mf=yes}}
|residence = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.
|nationality = American
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2013|1|13|1924|3|23}}
|alma_mater = [[Washington and Lee University]] (BA)
| death_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
|spouse = Lane Young ({{tooltip|m.|marriage}} 2003)<br />Sidney Adamson ({{tooltip|m.|marriage}} 1970s-2002)
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|children = 3
| alma_mater = [[Washington and Lee University]] (BA)
|parents = James Leslie Cook <br /> Bess Mims Cook
| spouse = Bettijo Hogan<br />Lane Young ({{tooltip|m.|marriage}} 2003)<br />Sidney Adamson ({{tooltip|m.|marriage}} 1970s–2002)
| children = 3
| parents = James Leslie Cook <br /> Bess Mims Cook
| termstart1 = January 10, 1966
| termend1 = January 8, 1968
| termstart2 = January 8, 1968
| termend2 = January 10, 1972
| branch = {{navy|United States}}
| battles = *[[World War II]]
**[[Pacific War|Pacific Theater]]
| rank = Lieutenant
}}
}}
'''Rodney Mims Cook''' (March 23, 1924 – January 13, 2013) was a [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] public figure who served for over twenty years as an [[Atlanta]] city [[alderman]] and member of the [[Georgia House of Representatives]].
'''Rodney Mims Cook''' (March 23, 1924 – January 13, 2013) was an American politician who served for over twenty years as [[Atlanta City Council|Atlanta alderman]] and member of the [[Georgia House of Representatives]].


Cook was one of the first Republican officials elected in Georgia since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]]. He served at-large as an Atlanta alderman and a member of the Georgia House simultaneously for a number of years. A law has since been passed to prohibit dual offices being held. He was heavily involved in legislative proposals in areas pertaining to [[civil rights]], [[zoning]], [[urban renewal]], the [[Atlanta Airport]], the [[Interstate Highway system]], and the Atlanta Stadium Authority housing the [[Atlanta Braves]] and [[Atlanta Falcons]] professional sports teams. The commemorative plaques on these buildings including Hartsfield-Jackson International airport record his efforts.
Cook was one of the first Republican officials elected in Georgia since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]]. He served at-large as an Atlanta alderman and a member of the Georgia House simultaneously for a number of years. A law has since been passed to prohibit dual offices being held. He was heavily involved in legislative proposals in areas pertaining to [[civil rights]], [[zoning]], [[urban renewal]], the [[Atlanta Airport]], the [[Interstate Highway system]], and the Atlanta Stadium Authority housing the [[Atlanta Braves]] and [[Atlanta Falcons]] professional sports teams. The commemorative plaques on these buildings including Hartsfield-Jackson International airport record his efforts.


==Early life, education, and military service==
==Early life, education, and military service==
Cook was born in Atlanta to James Leslie Cook and Bess Mims Cook. His father owned a number of men's clothing stores around the southeastern United States. Cook's mother, a member of the Mims family, have influenced the history of Georgia for over 200 years. Her grandfather's farm, called Red Oak, was destroyed by the invading army of General William T. Sherman during the Siege of Atlanta and the March to the Sea. The record of damages paid to this family by the Federal Government are in the archives of the [[Library of Congress]] and include the family's efforts to bring about a peaceful conclusion to the Civil War.
Cook was born in Atlanta to James Leslie Cook and Bess Mims Cook. His father owned a number of men's clothing stores around the southeastern United States. Cook's mother was a member of the Mims family, which influenced the history of Georgia for over 200 years. Her grandfather's farm, called Red Oak, was destroyed by the invading army of General William T. Sherman during the Siege of Atlanta and the March to the Sea. The record of damages paid to this family by the Federal Government are in the archives of the [[Library of Congress]] and include the family's efforts to bring about a peaceful conclusion to the Civil War.


Cook attended [[Washington and Lee University]] and graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1947. His college education was interrupted by [[World War II]], during which Cook was a lieutenant in the [[United States Navy]] in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]]. He served on the USS ''DuPage'' (APA-41), that was hit by a [[kamikaze]] pilot during the war, but he was uninjured.<ref name=papers>[http://www.ussdupage.org/ USS DuPage], www.ussdupage.org</ref><ref name=papersuga>[http://russelldoc.galib.uga.edu/russell/view?docId=ead/cook.xml Rodney Mims Cook Papers, 1951-1978], University of Georgia Libraries, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies</ref>
Cook attended [[Washington and Lee University]] and graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1947. His college education was interrupted by [[World War II]], during which Cook was a lieutenant in the [[United States Navy]] in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]]. He served on the {{USS|DuPage|APA-41|6}} which was hit by a [[kamikaze]] pilot during the war, but he was uninjured.<ref name=papers>[http://www.ussdupage.org/ USS DuPage], www.ussdupage.org</ref><ref name=papersuga>[http://russelldoc.galib.uga.edu/russell/view?docId=ead/cook.xml Rodney Mims Cook Papers, 1951–1978] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611215434/http://russelldoc.galib.uga.edu/russell/view?docId=ead/cook.xml |date=2010-06-11 }}, University of Georgia Libraries, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies</ref>


==Career and politics==
==Career and politics==
[[File:Rodney Mims Cook.jpg|thumb|Cook as a state representative in 1967]]
Upon leaving the military, Cook returned to Georgia and later, with Robert Mathis built the Peachtree Planning Corporation, an [[insurance]] company. He entered into the political arena in 1962 by serving as a member of the Atlanta Board of [[Alderman|Aldermen]], where he chaired the Planning and Development Committee and was a member of the Parks and Zoning Committees until 1970.<ref name="papersuga"/>
Upon leaving the military, Cook returned to Georgia and later, with Robert Mathis built the Peachtree Planning Corporation, an [[insurance]] company. He entered into the political arena in 1962 by serving as a member of the Atlanta Board of [[Alderman|Aldermen]], where he chaired the Planning and Development Committee and was a member of the Parks and Zoning Committees until 1970.<ref name="papersuga"/>


In 1966, he became a member of the [[Georgia House of Representatives]], the first [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] elected county-wide in [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton County]] to the [[Georgia House of Representatives]]. He remained in the legislature until 1972, serving as [[chairman]] of the Joint Senate-House Committee on Computerized Criminal Records and as a member of the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Industry Committees.<ref name=papersuga />
Cook was elected to the [[Georgia House of Representatives]] in 1965, and took office during the 1966 term.<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - Term 1966|publisher=State of Georgia|url=http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/govdimag.cgi?path=dbs/1965/ga/s700/_ps1/g4/1966/sess_p1_sno_p1.con/&user=galileo&sessionid=637f8586-1606332834-1543&serverid=DU&instcode=afpl&return=ggpd%3fuserid%3dgalileo%26dbs%3dggpd%26action%3dretrieve%26recno%3d69%26numrecs%3d100%26__rtype%3drecno%26key%3dy-ga-bs700-b-ps1-bg4-b1966-bsess-p1-sno-p1|date=August 1965|accessdate=May 8, 2018}}</ref> He was the first [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] elected county-wide in [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton County]] to the [[Georgia House of Representatives]]. He remained in the legislature until 1972, serving as [[chairman]] of the Joint Senate–House Committee on Computerized Criminal Records and as a member of the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Industry Committees.<ref name=papersuga /><ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - Term 1969-1970|publisher=State of Georgia|url=http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/govdimag.cgi?path=dbs/1969/ga/s700/_ps1/g4/1969_h70/sess_p1.con/&user=galileo&sessionid=637f8586-1606332834-1543&serverid=DU&instcode=afpl&return=ggpd%3fuserid%3dgalileo%26dbs%3dggpd%26action%3dretrieve%26recno%3d63%26numrecs%3d100%26__rtype%3drecno%26key%3dy-ga-bs700-b-ps1-bg4-b1969-h70-bsess-p1|date=January 20, 1969|accessdate=May 8, 2018}}</ref>
Cook unsuccessfully ran for [[Mayor of Atlanta]] in 1969, where he was defeated by [[Sam Massell]]. He returned to the [[Georgia House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and became chairman of the [[Georgia Republican Party]] and later ran unsuccessfully for [[Governor of Georgia]] in 1978 on the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ticket against [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent [[George Busbee]]. His leading the ticket created a Republican majority in the Georgia Delegation to the [[United States Congress]] for the first time since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]].<ref name=papersuga />
Cook unsuccessfully ran for [[Mayor of Atlanta]] in 1969, where he was defeated by [[Sam Massell]]. He returned to the [[Georgia House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and became chairman of the [[Georgia Republican Party]] and later ran unsuccessfully for [[Governor of Georgia]] in [[1978 Georgia gubernatorial election|1978]] on the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ticket against [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent [[George Busbee]]. His leading the ticket created a Republican majority in the Georgia Delegation to the [[United States Congress]] for the first time since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]].<ref name=papersuga />


==Involvement in civil rights==
==Involvement in civil rights==
In 1962, Cook made a speech in the Georgia State Capitol to take down the "[[Cascade Heights|Peyton Wall]]," a barrier that was built to stop [[African-American|black]] citizens from moving into a [[white people|white]] section of [[Atlanta]]. His speech ({{YouTube|41O03gg94sI|Video part 1}}, {{YouTube|94K4jXUMmGE|Video part 2}}) incited the [[KKK]] to burn a cross on the lawn of his home in [[Buckhead]]. He encouraged Atlanta citizens to participate in urban renewal and contested systems that discriminated against minorities, particularly in regard to housing rules.<ref name=papers/>
In 1962, Cook made a speech in the Georgia State Capitol to take down the "[[Peyton Wall]]," a barrier that was built to stop [[African-American|black]] citizens from moving into a [[white people|white]] section of [[Atlanta]]. His speech ({{YouTube|41O03gg94sI|Video part 1}}, {{YouTube|94K4jXUMmGE|Video part 2}}) incited the [[KKK]] to burn a cross on the lawn of his home in [[Buckhead]]. He encouraged Atlanta citizens to participate in urban renewal and contested systems that discriminated against minorities, particularly in regard to housing rules.<ref name=papers/>


He was one of just five white representatives (out of 205) who voted to seat the duly elected African American candidate [[Julian Bond]] in the state legislature in 1966. The legislature removed Bond due to his anti-war positions. The United States Supreme Court returned him to office.<ref name=papers/>
He was one of just five white representatives (out of 205) who voted to seat the duly elected African American candidate [[Julian Bond]] in the state legislature in 1966. The legislature removed Bond due to his anti-war positions. The United States Supreme Court returned him to office.<ref name=papers/>


Cook was the lieutenant of Mayor's [[William B. Hartsfield]] and [[Ivan Allen Jr.|Ivan Allen]], shepherding federal and state funding to the City of Atlanta resulting in unprecedented growth during the 1960s and 1970s. He counted [[Martin Luther King, Sr]], known as Daddy King as a friend and was instrumental, along with Mayor Allen and [[Coca-Cola]] CEO [[Robert W. Woodruff|Robert Woodruff]] in keeping Atlanta peaceful in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr [[Martin Luther King, Jr]]. His career was championed by the Atlanta business community, particularly Mills B. Lane, Savannah native and CEO of the Citizens and Southern National Bank, (now [[Bank of America]]), and also James D. Robinson, Jr., CEO of the First National Bank of Atlanta, (now [[Wells Fargo]]). Cook championed the careers of [[Paul Coverdell]] and [[Newt Gingrich]], later a United States senator and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. Both men were trusted advisors to Cook and Speaker Gingrich noted this in a speech he made on C-Span decades later. ([http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/MockRe/start/4370/stop/4476 view video here])
Cook was the lieutenant of Mayor's [[William B. Hartsfield]] and [[Ivan Allen Jr.|Ivan Allen]], shepherding federal and state funding to the City of Atlanta resulting in unprecedented growth during the 1960s and 1970s. He counted [[Martin Luther King Sr.]], known as Daddy King, as a friend, and was instrumental, along with Mayor Allen and [[Coca-Cola]] CEO [[Robert W. Woodruff|Robert Woodruff]], in keeping Atlanta peaceful in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] His career was championed by the Atlanta business community, particularly Mills B. Lane, Savannah native and CEO of the Citizens and Southern National Bank, (now [[Bank of America]]), and also James D. Robinson Jr., CEO of the First National Bank of Atlanta, (now [[Wells Fargo]]). Cook championed the careers of [[Paul Coverdell]] and [[Newt Gingrich]], later a United States senator and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. Both men were trusted advisors to Cook and Speaker Gingrich noted this in a speech he made on C-Span decades later. ([http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/MockRe/start/4370/stop/4476 view video here]{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }})


The papers of Cook are housed at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries.
The papers of Cook are housed at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Cook first married Bettijo Hogan Cook, a member of the Sewell family. The Sewells arrived in America at [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]], Virginia in 1610 and later settled downriver at Sewell's Point, currently a [[United States Navy]] base. Mr.Cook was married to Sidney Adamson, of the Philadelphia Adamson's, from the 1970s until her death on 23 January 2002. In 2003 he married Lane Young of Savannah and Atlanta at Blenheim Palace.
Cook first married Bettijo Hogan Cook, a member of the Sewell family. The Sewells arrived in America at [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]], Virginia in 1610 and later settled downriver at Sewell's Point, currently a [[United States Navy]] base. Mr. Cook was married to Sidney Adamson, of the Philadelphia Adamson's, from the 1970s until her death on 23 January 2002. In 2003 he married Lane Young of Savannah and Atlanta at Blenheim Palace.


Cook was the father of two daughters and a son. His son, [[Rodney Mims Cook, Jr.]], is President of the [[National Monuments Foundation]], owner of the [[Millennium Gate]] at [[Atlantic Station]] in Atlanta and is currently coordinating the design for the memorial to [[John Adams]] and [[John Quincy Adams]] in Washington.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/30arch.html?_r=0|title=An Elaborate Arch, an Opaque Significance |publisher= Atlanta Journal|date=2009-04-29 |accessdate=2013-01-25}}</ref>
Cook was the father of two daughters and a son. His son, [[Rodney Mims Cook Jr.]], is President of the [[National Monuments Foundation]], owner of the [[Millennium Gate]] at [[Atlantic Station, Atlanta|Atlantic Station]] in Atlanta and is currently coordinating the design for the memorial to [[John Adams]] and [[John Quincy Adams]] in Washington.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/30arch.html?_r=0|title=An Elaborate Arch, an Opaque Significance |publisher= Atlanta Journal|date=2009-04-29 |accessdate=2013-01-25}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
Cook died at his home in Atlanta on January 13, 2013, due to complications from heart failure. His funeral service was scheduled for January 19 at the Millennium Gate and Museum at Atlantic Station, to be followed by entombment in the Mims family vault at the Westview Abbey Mausoleum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/news/rodney-mims-cook-sr-88-former-alderman-and-state-r/nTxhw/ |title=Rodney Mims Cook Sr., 88: Former alderman and state... |publisher=www.ajc.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=rodney-m-cook&pid=162436132#fbLoggedOut |title=RODNEY M. COOK Obituary: View RODNEY COOK's Obituary by New York Times |publisher=Legacy.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-18}}</ref>
Cook died at his home in Atlanta on January 13, 2013, due to complications from heart failure. His funeral service was scheduled for January 19 at the Millennium Gate and Museum at Atlantic Station, to be followed by entombment in the Mims family vault at the Westview Abbey Mausoleum.<ref>{{cite news |date= |title=Rodney Mims Cook Sr., 88: Former alderman and state... |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/rodney-mims-cook-former-alderman-and-state-representative/sdDKz9lWQFITAR19HihVVI/ |accessdate=2013-01-18 |publisher=www.ajc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=rodney-m-cook&pid=162436132#fbLoggedOut |title=RODNEY M. COOK Obituary: View RODNEY COOK's Obituary by New York Times |publisher=Legacy.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-18}}</ref>


Cook was honored on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in the Georgia House of Representatives Chamber Morning Order. The Honorable Joe Wilkinson delivered the {{YouTube|3oNXqwZN_9Q|eulogy}}. On Wednesday January 17, Cook lay in repose at the Gothic City Hall Chamber. He was the only person to have this honor since Mayor Maynard Jackson. Visitation was at home in the Alexandra Park Chapel where Cook's flag-draped coffin had an Honor Guard of U.S. Navy, Atlanta Fire Department and Atlanta Police Department officers.
Cook was honored on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in the Georgia House of Representatives Chamber Morning Order. The Honorable Joe Wilkinson delivered the {{YouTube|3oNXqwZN_9Q|eulogy}}. On Wednesday January 17, Cook lay in repose at the Gothic City Hall Chamber. He was the only person to have this honor since Mayor Maynard Jackson. Visitation was at home in the Alexandra Park Chapel where Cook's flag-draped coffin had an Honor Guard of U.S. Navy, Atlanta Fire Department and Atlanta Police Department officers.


[[File:Rodney Mims Cook lying in repose.jpg|thumbnail|An Honor Guard watches over Rodney Cook's casket as he lay in repose at the Old City Hall in Atlanta, GA.]]
[[File:Rodney Mims Cook lying in repose.jpg|thumbnail|An Honor Guard watches over Rodney Cook's casket as he lays in repose at the Old City Hall in Atlanta, GA.]]


On Saturday, January 19, 2013, Cook's funeral ceremony was held at the Millennium Gate. Hundreds attended the ceremony led by the Very Reverend Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Civil Rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young delivered the eulogy. St. Philip's Cathedral choir and the Higher Ground Empowerment Gospel Choir performed. Mayor Kasim Reed, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, and Police Chief George Turner sent a fire and police department Honor Guard to compliment the full Military Honor Guard. Several fire engines and police cars were part of the funeral motorcade to Westview Abby Mausoleum where Cook was laid to rest in the Mims Family vault.
On Saturday, January 19, 2013, Cook's funeral ceremony was held at the Millennium Gate. Hundreds attended the ceremony led by the Very Reverend Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Civil Rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young delivered the eulogy. St. Philip's Cathedral choir and the Higher Ground Empowerment Gospel Choir performed. Mayor Kasim Reed, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, and Police Chief George Turner sent a fire and police department Honor Guard to complement the full Military Honor Guard. Several fire engines and police cars were part of the funeral motorcade to Westview Abby Mausoleum where Cook was laid to rest in the Mims Family vault.

==Memorials==
[[Rodney Cook Sr. Park]], a new park in the [[Vine City]] neighborhood, was named after the public figure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rodney Cook Sr Park at Historic Vine City|publisher=The National Monuments Foundation - Rodney Cook Sr. Park|url=https://www.rodneycooksrpark.org/|date=|accessdate=May 9, 2018|archive-date=June 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601221215/https://www.rodneycooksrpark.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-30 |title=Atlantawatershed.orgcook-park {{!}} Atlantawatershed.org |url=https://www.atlantawatershed.org/cook-park/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.atlantawatershed.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.myajc.com/news/local/westside-park-could-have-potential-historic-fourth-ward-park/fQN44tgwYhc93xkIPeDiUM/ |title = Westside park could have potential of Historic Fourth Ward Park|newspaper = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|last1 = Trubey|first1 = J. Scott}}</ref> Atlanta's Downtown Connector, where Interstates 75 and 85 join between Midtown and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, was named for Cook in 2014. The symbolic meanings for this honor were Cook's efforts as head of the Highway Commission to build the road, as well as his Civil Rights efforts to bring all Atlanta citizens together and keep Atlanta race relations peaceful.

== Electoral history ==
{{ushr|Georgia|5|}}:<ref name=":0222">{{Cite web |last=Fortson |first=Ben |date=1972 |title=Official state of Georgia tabulation by counties for Presidential Electors, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representatives, state officers and constitutional amendments, General Election November 7, 1972 |url=https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/data/dlg/ggpd/pdfs/dlg_ggpd_y-ga-bs700-b-ps1-bs4-b1972-bfolio.pdf |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=[[Digital Library of Georgia]] |page=11}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
!Year
!
!Republican
!Votes
!%
!
!Democratic
!Votes
!%
|
|-
|[[1972 United States House of Representatives elections#Georgia|1972]]
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |Rodney M. Cook
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |64,495
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |47.2%
|
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |''' √ [[Andrew Young]]'''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |72,289
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |52.8%
|
|}
{{Election box begin|title=Georgia gubernatorial election, 1978<ref name="GAresults">{{Cite web |title=1978 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Georgia |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=13&year=1978&f=0&off=5&elect=0}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=[[George Busbee]] (incumbent)|votes=534,572|percentage=80.65%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Rodney Mims Cook, Sr.|votes=128,319|percentage=19.33%|change=|}}
{{Election box hold with party link||winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=|swing=}}
{{s-end}}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 62: Line 108:
* Atlanta Rising by Frederick Allen, Rodney Cook 163, 164, 165, 166; Atlanta Mayors' Race
* Atlanta Rising by Frederick Allen, Rodney Cook 163, 164, 165, 166; Atlanta Mayors' Race
* Atlanta and Environs by Garrett
* Atlanta and Environs by Garrett
* Notes on the 60s by Ivan Allen, Jr.
* Notes on the 60s by Ivan Allen Jr.

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ronnie Thompson (politician)|Ronnie Thompson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Governor of Georgia]]|years=[[1978 Georgia gubernatorial election|1978]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Robert H. Bell}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cook, Rodney Mims, Sr.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cook, Rodney Mims Sr.}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:Activists for African-American civil rights]]
[[Category:Activists for African-American civil rights]]
[[Category:Atlanta City Council members]]
[[Category:Atlanta City Council members]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) Republicans]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Georgia House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Washington and Lee University alumni]]
[[Category:Washington and Lee University alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Navy officers]]

Latest revision as of 14:28, 26 April 2024

Rodney Mims Cook Sr.
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 123rd – Post-1 district
In office
January 10, 1966 – January 8, 1968
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 95th – Post-1 district
In office
January 8, 1968 – January 10, 1972
Personal details
Born(1924-03-23)March 23, 1924
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 13, 2013(2013-01-13) (aged 88)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Bettijo Hogan
Lane Young (m. 2003)
Sidney Adamson (m. 1970s–2002)
Children3
Parent(s)James Leslie Cook
Bess Mims Cook
Alma materWashington and Lee University (BA)
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
RankLieutenant
Battles/wars

Rodney Mims Cook (March 23, 1924 – January 13, 2013) was an American politician who served for over twenty years as Atlanta alderman and member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Cook was one of the first Republican officials elected in Georgia since Reconstruction. He served at-large as an Atlanta alderman and a member of the Georgia House simultaneously for a number of years. A law has since been passed to prohibit dual offices being held. He was heavily involved in legislative proposals in areas pertaining to civil rights, zoning, urban renewal, the Atlanta Airport, the Interstate Highway system, and the Atlanta Stadium Authority housing the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons professional sports teams. The commemorative plaques on these buildings including Hartsfield-Jackson International airport record his efforts.

Early life, education, and military service

[edit]

Cook was born in Atlanta to James Leslie Cook and Bess Mims Cook. His father owned a number of men's clothing stores around the southeastern United States. Cook's mother was a member of the Mims family, which influenced the history of Georgia for over 200 years. Her grandfather's farm, called Red Oak, was destroyed by the invading army of General William T. Sherman during the Siege of Atlanta and the March to the Sea. The record of damages paid to this family by the Federal Government are in the archives of the Library of Congress and include the family's efforts to bring about a peaceful conclusion to the Civil War.

Cook attended Washington and Lee University and graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947. His college education was interrupted by World War II, during which Cook was a lieutenant in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater. He served on the USS DuPage which was hit by a kamikaze pilot during the war, but he was uninjured.[1][2]

Career and politics

[edit]
Cook as a state representative in 1967

Upon leaving the military, Cook returned to Georgia and later, with Robert Mathis built the Peachtree Planning Corporation, an insurance company. He entered into the political arena in 1962 by serving as a member of the Atlanta Board of Aldermen, where he chaired the Planning and Development Committee and was a member of the Parks and Zoning Committees until 1970.[2]

Cook was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1965, and took office during the 1966 term.[3] He was the first Republican elected county-wide in Fulton County to the Georgia House of Representatives. He remained in the legislature until 1972, serving as chairman of the Joint Senate–House Committee on Computerized Criminal Records and as a member of the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Industry Committees.[2][4] Cook unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Atlanta in 1969, where he was defeated by Sam Massell. He returned to the House of Representatives and became chairman of the Georgia Republican Party and later ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Georgia in 1978 on the Republican ticket against Democratic incumbent George Busbee. His leading the ticket created a Republican majority in the Georgia Delegation to the United States Congress for the first time since Reconstruction.[2]

Involvement in civil rights

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In 1962, Cook made a speech in the Georgia State Capitol to take down the "Peyton Wall," a barrier that was built to stop black citizens from moving into a white section of Atlanta. His speech (Video part 1 on YouTube, Video part 2 on YouTube) incited the KKK to burn a cross on the lawn of his home in Buckhead. He encouraged Atlanta citizens to participate in urban renewal and contested systems that discriminated against minorities, particularly in regard to housing rules.[1]

He was one of just five white representatives (out of 205) who voted to seat the duly elected African American candidate Julian Bond in the state legislature in 1966. The legislature removed Bond due to his anti-war positions. The United States Supreme Court returned him to office.[1]

Cook was the lieutenant of Mayor's William B. Hartsfield and Ivan Allen, shepherding federal and state funding to the City of Atlanta resulting in unprecedented growth during the 1960s and 1970s. He counted Martin Luther King Sr., known as Daddy King, as a friend, and was instrumental, along with Mayor Allen and Coca-Cola CEO Robert Woodruff, in keeping Atlanta peaceful in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. His career was championed by the Atlanta business community, particularly Mills B. Lane, Savannah native and CEO of the Citizens and Southern National Bank, (now Bank of America), and also James D. Robinson Jr., CEO of the First National Bank of Atlanta, (now Wells Fargo). Cook championed the careers of Paul Coverdell and Newt Gingrich, later a United States senator and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. Both men were trusted advisors to Cook and Speaker Gingrich noted this in a speech he made on C-Span decades later. (view video here[permanent dead link])

The papers of Cook are housed at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries.

Personal life

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Cook first married Bettijo Hogan Cook, a member of the Sewell family. The Sewells arrived in America at Jamestown, Virginia in 1610 and later settled downriver at Sewell's Point, currently a United States Navy base. Mr. Cook was married to Sidney Adamson, of the Philadelphia Adamson's, from the 1970s until her death on 23 January 2002. In 2003 he married Lane Young of Savannah and Atlanta at Blenheim Palace.

Cook was the father of two daughters and a son. His son, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., is President of the National Monuments Foundation, owner of the Millennium Gate at Atlantic Station in Atlanta and is currently coordinating the design for the memorial to John Adams and John Quincy Adams in Washington.[5]

Death

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Cook died at his home in Atlanta on January 13, 2013, due to complications from heart failure. His funeral service was scheduled for January 19 at the Millennium Gate and Museum at Atlantic Station, to be followed by entombment in the Mims family vault at the Westview Abbey Mausoleum.[6][7]

Cook was honored on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in the Georgia House of Representatives Chamber Morning Order. The Honorable Joe Wilkinson delivered the eulogy on YouTube. On Wednesday January 17, Cook lay in repose at the Gothic City Hall Chamber. He was the only person to have this honor since Mayor Maynard Jackson. Visitation was at home in the Alexandra Park Chapel where Cook's flag-draped coffin had an Honor Guard of U.S. Navy, Atlanta Fire Department and Atlanta Police Department officers.

An Honor Guard watches over Rodney Cook's casket as he lays in repose at the Old City Hall in Atlanta, GA.

On Saturday, January 19, 2013, Cook's funeral ceremony was held at the Millennium Gate. Hundreds attended the ceremony led by the Very Reverend Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Civil Rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young delivered the eulogy. St. Philip's Cathedral choir and the Higher Ground Empowerment Gospel Choir performed. Mayor Kasim Reed, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, and Police Chief George Turner sent a fire and police department Honor Guard to complement the full Military Honor Guard. Several fire engines and police cars were part of the funeral motorcade to Westview Abby Mausoleum where Cook was laid to rest in the Mims Family vault.

Memorials

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Rodney Cook Sr. Park, a new park in the Vine City neighborhood, was named after the public figure.[8][9][10] Atlanta's Downtown Connector, where Interstates 75 and 85 join between Midtown and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, was named for Cook in 2014. The symbolic meanings for this honor were Cook's efforts as head of the Highway Commission to build the road, as well as his Civil Rights efforts to bring all Atlanta citizens together and keep Atlanta race relations peaceful.

Electoral history

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Georgia's 5th congressional district:[11]

Year Republican Votes % Democratic Votes %
1972 Rodney M. Cook 64,495 47.2% Andrew Young 72,289 52.8%
Georgia gubernatorial election, 1978[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George Busbee (incumbent) 534,572 80.65%
Republican Rodney Mims Cook, Sr. 128,319 19.33%
Democratic hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ a b c USS DuPage, www.ussdupage.org
  2. ^ a b c d Rodney Mims Cook Papers, 1951–1978 Archived 2010-06-11 at the Wayback Machine, University of Georgia Libraries, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
  3. ^ "Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - Term 1966". State of Georgia. August 1965. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - Term 1969-1970". State of Georgia. January 20, 1969. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "An Elaborate Arch, an Opaque Significance". Atlanta Journal. 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  6. ^ "Rodney Mims Cook Sr., 88: Former alderman and state..." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. www.ajc.com. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  7. ^ "RODNEY M. COOK Obituary: View RODNEY COOK's Obituary by New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  8. ^ "Rodney Cook Sr Park at Historic Vine City". The National Monuments Foundation - Rodney Cook Sr. Park. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Atlantawatershed.orgcook-park | Atlantawatershed.org". www.atlantawatershed.org. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  10. ^ Trubey, J. Scott. "Westside park could have potential of Historic Fourth Ward Park". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  11. ^ Fortson, Ben (1972). "Official state of Georgia tabulation by counties for Presidential Electors, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representatives, state officers and constitutional amendments, General Election November 7, 1972" (PDF). Digital Library of Georgia. p. 11. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "1978 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Georgia".
  • Gary M. Pomerantz, Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn, Rodney Cook 383, 389, 390, 391
  • Atlanta Rising by Frederick Allen, Rodney Cook 163, 164, 165, 166; Atlanta Mayors' Race
  • Atlanta and Environs by Garrett
  • Notes on the 60s by Ivan Allen Jr.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Georgia
1978
Succeeded by
Robert H. Bell