YUCCA VALLEY - Crime Victims United of California (CVUC), the California State Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), and numerous prominent law enforcement leaders, including a 43-year veteran of law enforcement, announced their endorsements of Colonel Paul Cook (ret.) for Congress in the newly drawn 8th District.

CVUC stated the following in a letter to constituents: “[Cook] worked closely with us and other public safety groups to close a loophole in state law that allowed convicted sex offenders to move into local neighborhoods without registering with the police.

“He also took action to speed child abduction response times, establish a Missing Children Rapid Response Team, and make it easier for police to identify suspects when a child is abducted.

“Paul Cook is a man of great integrity who has earned the support of public safety leaders in San Bernardino County and throughout California. In Congress, he will be an effective, problem-solving leader for you …”

CVUC is the state’s leading victims’ advocacy organization, utilizing education, legislative involvement, and political action to give victims a voice.

The California Police Chiefs Association joined CVUC in endorsing Colonel Cook in his Congressional race. Established in 1966, CPCA is an organization that represents municipal law enforcement agencies in California.

Keith Buschey, a 43-year veteran of law enforcement who has served as a Deputy Chief in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and a Colonel in the US Marine Corps Reserve, added his endorsement for Cook stating, “Paul and I served together as lieutenants in the Vietnam War. He was a leader then, and he is a leader today. In choosing a Congressman, the citizens of his district could not possibly do any better.”

As a state lawmaker, Cook has authored several successful bills protecting victims from dangerous criminals, such as child predators. Cook’s AB 307 prevents registered sex offenders from working any job that provides goods or services to minors in an unaccompanied setting. He also passed a series of bills to reform procedures and methods for cases of missing children. These bills were implemented in every law enforcement agency across California, providing coordination for investigation efforts and ensuring information on a missing child reaches the correct authorities in the shortest time possible.

Additionally, Cook earned endorsements from the following law enforcement officials and organizations: San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, retired San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod, retired Mono County Sheriff Dan Paranick, retired Mono County District Attorney George Booth, Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze, Mono County Sheriff Rick Scholl, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the San Bernardino Police Officers Association, the Latino Peace Officers Association, and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.

Penrod serves as Cook’s Congressional campaign co-chair. Cook has also earned the endorsement of Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff and Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach.

Cook stated, “Communities can prosper only when they are safe. We need to give families the best chance to thrive, educate their children, and live a high quality of life. We can do that through partnerships with law enforcement. I’m proud to stand with law enforcement in our fight against crime. Families want safe communities, and I’ll work every day in Congress to provide families the safety they deserve.”

Contact: Jim Rissmiller
Phone: 760-609-0997

YUCCA VALLEY - Colonel Paul Cook (ret.) today announced the endorsement of respected law enforcement leaders -- Retired Mono County Sheriff Dan Paranick, Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach, and Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff -- who stand with him in his bid to become the Congressman from the newly drawn 8th Congressional district. Cook’s Congressional campaign is co-chaired by retired San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod.

Said Cook, “When law enforcement made me aware of loopholes in our law that allowed convicted sex offenders to move into our neighborhoods without having to register, I fought to close that loophole. I’m honored that these law enforcement leaders trust me to continue fighting the spread of gang violence and ensuring front-line officers have the tools they need.”

Retired Mono County Sheriff Dan Paranick cited Cook’s work to fight gang violence and close loopholes for sex offenders saying, “Colonel Cook’s record of standing with law enforcement and passing tough laws against gang-related crimes is rock solid. He’s fought to protect our most vulnerable from sexual predators, and he’s tough as nails. Paul’s earned my trust. Let’s send him to Congress.”

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach stated, “I’m proud to support Paul Cook for Congress. We’ve worked closely to address some of our region's most pressing law enforcement challenges. Paul has helped crack down on government corruption. He’s closed loopholes that let sex offenders evade registering with law enforcement. Living outside his district, I wish I could vote to send Colonel Cook to Congress. I can’t, but you can. The bottom line is that Paul gets it done.”

An infantry officer who served with distinction in the US Marine Corps and veteran of the Vietnam War, Colonel Paul Cook's military career spanned twenty-six years. Cook’s actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device. Cook retired from the US Marine Corps as a colonel.

Contact: Jim Rissmiller
Phone: 760-609-0997

YUCCA VALLEY - Retired US Marine Corps Colonel Paul Cook today announced the leadership team for his campaign in the newly drawn 8th Congressional District. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, retired San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod, respected San Bernardino County leader Bill Leonard, State Senator Bill Emmerson, and former San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger will serve as co-chairs to Cook's campaign.

"I'm very proud to have such a capable leadership team that represents the very best of our region," said Cook. 

Congresswoman Bono Mack spoke to Washington's need for Cook's leadership by saying, "We need leaders like Colonel Cook in Congress fighting to create jobs, stopping wasteful spending, and saying no to taxes."
 
Penrod spoke to Cook's record saying, "There's no better friend of law enforcement than Colonel Paul Cook. His proven record at the local and state level has earned him my respect, and I'm proud to stand with Paul as he seeks to become our Congressman."

Leonard offered his thoughts on Cook's economic record saying, "Colonel Cook's a proven tax fighter. Paul's support for conservative economic policies that create jobs in our community and his fight to reduce taxes has earned him my trust and my support."

Senator Emmerson underscored Cook's service as Chairman of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee by saying, "No one has done more to help veterans and veteran families than Paul. Veterans deserve a leader like Colonel Cook standing up for them in Congress."

Looking to Cook to restore trust in public service, Hansberger said, "At the local level, Paul restored integrity to public service. We can be proud of him as a Congressman."

An infantry officer who served with distinction in the US Marine Corps and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Cook's military career spanned twenty-six years. Cook's actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with a V for valor. Cook retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel.

As Chairman of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, Cook authored legislation to lower taxes for veteran-owned businesses, improve laws for military families, and address the educational and economic needs of returning veterans.
 
The newly drawn 8th Congressional District contains large portions of San Bernardino County, as well as Mono and Inyo Counties.