The resolution expresses profound sorrow over the passing of Major General Jerome Gary Cooper, a former Alabama State Representative and retired United States Marine Corps officer, who died on April 27, 2024. Born on October 2, 1936, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Cooper had a distinguished military career, becoming the first Black officer in the Marine Corps to lead an infantry company into combat during the Vietnam War. He received numerous accolades for his service, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, and rose to the rank of Major General before retiring in 1996. In addition to his military achievements, Cooper served in various significant roles, including as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and as the United States Ambassador to Jamaica.

The resolution highlights Cooper's extensive contributions to both the military and the community, noting his leadership in various organizations and his commitment to youth programs. He is remembered for his dedication to public service and the impact he made in Alabama and beyond. The resolution concludes by extending heartfelt condolences to his family, acknowledging the void his passing leaves in the lives of his loved ones and the community that held him in high regard.