RECOGNIZING JEFF COOK OF EAGLE ALLOY, MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDRY SOCIETY

On 2017-04-06, Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING JEFF COOK OF EAGLE ALLOY, MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDRY SOCIETY" in the House.

RECOGNIZING JEFF COOK OF EAGLE ALLOY, MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDRY SOCIETY

Congressional Record, Volume 163 Issue 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017) [Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E469-E470] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING JEFF COOK OF EAGLE ALLOY, MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDRY SOCIETY ______ HON. BILL HUIZENGA of michigan in the house of representatives Thursday, April 6, 2017 Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jeff Cook, Vice President of Eagle Alloy Inc. in Muskegon, Michigan, for his long-term contributions to Eagle Alloy and the U.S. metalcasting industry. Eagle Alloy is an innovative steel foundry providing vital castings for key sectors including agriculture, construction, mining, defense and railroads. Metal castings are integral to virtually all U.S. manufacturing activities. Jeff joined Eagle Alloy in 1986 after graduating high school. His first position on the shop floor was as a grinder, machining castings on the third shift. He has worked his way up over the past thirty years to become Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jeff is passionate about attracting the next generation to the metalcasting industry and has dedicated significant amount of time reaching out to local schools and businesses about careers in the metal casting industry. In addition, he has been actively involved in the leadership of the local American Foundry Society (AFS) West Michigan Chapter for many years. He joined the AFS National Board of Directors in 2011, where he spent the past year as its President traveling across the country, meeting with thousands of metalcasters and suppliers underscoring the importance of taking time to ``Attract. Educate. Support'' the next generation of metalcasters. AFS is the major trade and technical association for the North American metalcasting industry. The association has more than 8,000 members representing over 2,000 metalcasting firms, their suppliers and customers. In Muskegon, Jeff has reached out to educational institutions, including local high schools and Muskegon Community College, to better communicate the skills needed and the certifications that are in demand in the industry. Through the AFS chapter, Jeff has worked with local schools to host student night, where they showcase the traveling casting kit, known as Foundry in a Box. It shows students how to form patterns, melt them, the cleanup process behind it, and gives an overview of how castings are made. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Jeff Cook, as he completes his [[Page E470]] successful term as AFS President, for his strong commitment and dedication to Eagle Alloy and to the growth and prospering of the metalcasting industry. ____________________