Awards & Recognitions

U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded Merrill the Spirit of Enterprise Award three years in a row for his support of pro-business policies and legislation. Key votes for 1999 addressed issues such as Y2K liability reform, cutting taxes, expanding trade and reducing excessive regulations.

National Taxpayer's Union Foundation recognized Representative Cook for saving taxpayers money by being frugal in comparison with other members of the Utah delegation.

Americans for Tax Reform’s Hero of the Taxpayer Award went to Representative Cook two years in a row. Cook remains a co-sponsor of the Tax Code Termination Act, which would scrap the current tax system and come up with a simple flat tax. In Congress, he introduced a bill to eliminate the unfair death tax as well as the alternate minimum tax that is so devastating to many of Utah's large families.

Small Business Survival Committee recognized Representative Cook as a Small Business Advocate.

60 Plus Association recognized Representative Cook’s support of the Social Security Earnings Limit Appeal which would allow seniors to continue working.

United Seniors Association rated Representative Cook 100% on senior issues. He pioneered legislation to “lockbox” the Social Security Trust Fund to ensure that this year's budget does not put Social Security on the backburner.

National Association of Community Health Centers presented Cook with its Community Health Superhero Award for strong and consistent support of migrant and homeless health centers both state and nationwide.

American Conservative Union gave Cook an 85% lifetime rating.

National Rifle Association (NRA) and National Right to Life gave Cook a 100% rating. Cook also scored 100% on the Gun Owners of America survey for his support of the States' Rights and Second and Tenth Amendment Restoration Acts of 1999. The bill would completely repeal the Launtenberg Domestic Violence amendment which revokes military and municipal peace officers’ rights to firearms for misdemeanors related to “domestic violence.” Cook also signed the Hostettler letter to defend the Smith & Wesson “oversight” commission.