PHOTO GALLERY
I joined advocates from patient and medical provider groups at a legislative breakfast held by the U.S. Pain Foundation.
Today I was joined by current and former Vo-ag students to show our support for Vo-ag programs. I’m sponsoring legislation that would make funding for vocational agricultural programs equal to that of other school choice programs, such as charter and magnet schools.
It was an honor to host the annual Girl Scout Day at the Capitol
I joined the honorary Capitol Girl Scout Troop during Girl Scout Day at the Capitol. Here, my fellow legislators and I take the Girl Scout pledge.
I welcomed Dr. James Gatling and William Rybczyk of local nonprofit New Opportunities to the Capitol for a Bond Commission meeting. The commission approved a loan to New Opportunities to establish an aquaponics farm in Torrington that will create 18 jobs.
It was great to join students and teachers at Vogel-Wetmore School for Read Aloud Day! I read “Malala’s Magic Pencil” to Mrs. Roman's fourth grade class.
It was great to meet with the folks from Boehringer Ingelheim and take a tour of their research and development facilities. BI is a pharmaceutical company based in Ridgefield that employs about 2,500 people in Connecticut.
I joined my colleague Rep. Cathy Abercrombie and the CT Nonprofit Alliance to voice our support for the nonprofit providers who care for some of Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents. These organizations are facing cuts due to the budget stalemate, which in turn harms the people they serve. We are working diligently to reach a budget that will restore their funding and continue CT’s support for essential social services.
Rep. Cook joined members of the Young Professionals of Northwest Connecticut at a meeting at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington to raise awareness of Connecticut’s new student loan refinancing program.
Rep. Cook congratulates Anthony “Tony” Renzullo for his honor of "Italian Mayor of the Day."
CT's Early Childhood Alliance awarded Rep. Cook with the 2016 Children's Champion award for her advocacy work and support of Connecticut Children.
The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut recognized Rep. Cook with a 2016 Co-Legislator of the Year Award for her leadership on legislation that protects firefighters.
Rep. Cook was recognized by the State Funded Directors Forum for her advocacy work and support of Connecticut children. Here she stands with Mary Cecchinato, Executive Director of the Torrington Child Care Center Inc.
Rep. Michelle Cook recognized the talented chefs from the Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington who provided legislators with a delicious lunch! Rep. Cook also thanked Bristol Tech Culinary for providing the desserts!
On April 28, Rep. Cook hosted Girl Scout Day at the Capitol. Here, Rep. Cook stands with colleagues to recite the Girl Scout Promise as she swore new legislators into the Honorary Capitol Girl Scout Troop that she helped established with Secretary of State Denise Merrill several years ago.
On April 26, Rep. Michelle Cook met with the Torrington Even Start group for Early Childhood Advocacy Day at the Capitol to advocate for the education and safety of children everywhere.
Rep. Michelle cook congratulates the winners of the 12th annual eeSmarts Student Contest! Winners included Torrington's very own Lydia Bird, Ian Bennett, Connor Bienkowski, Ryan Lauer, and Brandon Skyes! The contest encourages students to demonstrate their knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability by completing grade-specific assignments.
On April 27, Rep. Michelle Cook welcomed Rebecca Lamoin from Torrington to the Capitol to congratulate her for qualifying for the 2016 Special Olympics World Games in Austria!
Rep. Michelle Cook congratulates Natasha De Elye Cole from Torrington for qualifying to compete in the Special Olympics World Games 2017 in Austria!
Rep. Michelle Cook stands with Torrington firefighters who visited the Capitol to support the passage of the firefighters cancer coverage bill in the Senate.
Rep. Michelle Cook met with one of twelve amazing therapy dogs that visited the Capitol for Animal Therapy Day! These therapy dogs play an important role in times of trauma and crisis.
Rep. Cook plays with a child at the Vogel-Wetmore School in Torrington, a center serves families with young children by providing opportunities to enhance their children’s school readiness.
Rep. Cook and Rep. Willis visit with the children of the Family Resource Center at Vogel-Wetmore School in Torrington. The center serves families with young children by providing opportunities to enhance their children’s school readiness.
The CT Family Resource Center Alliance awarded Rep. Cook with the 2016 Friend of the Family Award. The award is given to an individual who has lead the charge to protect Connecticut’s families and has tirelessly advocated for early childhood programs and family support services.
On March 22, Rep. Michelle Cook spoke at the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association’s annual legislative breakfast at the Capitol in support of HB 5262, which would expand coverage for both working and volunteer firefighters by providing wage replacement benefits to those who are diagnosed with certain conditions of cancer as a result of their service. The bill remains one of Rep. Cook's top priorities.
Rep. Cook earned a perfect voting record for the 2015 session, having cast her vote all 379 times that the House of Representatives was called to a vote.
The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance has named Rep. Cook a 2015 Children’s Champion. This is the seventh consecutive year that Rep. Cook has been recognized by the Alliance.
Rep. Cook was happy to host Girl Scout Day at the Capitol and be named an Honorary Girl Scout. “I met so many inspiring and motivated young women today who have immensely bring futures ahead of them,” said Rep. Cook.
Rep. Cook was happy to meet with students from Wamogo Regional High School who came to Hartford to participate in Connecticut Department of Agriculture Day at the Capitol.
Rep. Cook testifies on behalf of expanding workers’ compensation for emergency responders. The bill expands workers’ compensation coverage for emergency responders who develop cancer or other diseases as a result of the work they do to protect us every day.
Rep. Cook joined the CT Early Childhood Alliance to discuss the important of raising the wage childcare workers earn.