WASHINGTON—House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today announced his nomination of Holly O’Grady Cook to the independent panel established by the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 tasked with reviewing and assessing the military’s investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual assault cases:

“Having served in the Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps for over two decades, Colonel Cook has the requisite experience in military law, the prosecution of sexual assault, and the necessity of support for victims of rape and sexual assault to make important contributions as a panel member,”  McKeon said.  “The Armed Services Committee has worked for many years in a  bipartisan manner to prevent sexual assault in our military and ensure justice for the victims of these terrible crimes. The creation of this panel and Colonel Cook’s nomination to it represent our continued commitment to protect our warfighters.”

“Colonel Holly Cook currently serves as the Principal Deputy Director of the American Bar Association’s Governmental Affairs Office. Prior to that she served in the US Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps for over two decades in various positions around the globe. Most recently, she served as Chief of the Administrative Law Division from 1989 to 2012 and Chief of the Investigative and Legislative Division from 2008 to 2011. She is a graduate of the National Defense University, The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and Albany Law School of Union University.

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