Senate OK’s renaming of East Rockaway post office

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 as one of the longest serving mailmen in United States Post Office history.
Cook retired in 2005 after walking the same eight-mile route for 60 years, leaving a legacy of dedicated work to the United States Post Office and the East Rockaway community. 
“John Cook served the East Rockaway community as a letter carrier for multiple generations of families,” said Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. “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.”
“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,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “This is a fitting recognition he earned and has long deserved. 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.

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, he 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 eight-mile route to ensure the daily mail was always delivered on time, racking up 150,000 miles over the years. 
After passing the House of Representatives and then unanimously clearing the United States Senate last week, President Obama signed the bill into law earlier this week. The name change takes effect immediately.   
At the request of Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino, McCarthy sponsored a bill to officially rename the post office. She introduced the legislation in the House on June 1, 2011.
“I want to thank Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy for shepherding this measure through the House of Representatives,” Santino said.  “It will keep alive the memory of a man who served the people of East Rockaway with such extraordinary dedication.”