[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 187 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17537-S17538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ISRAEL COHEN

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great man and a great friend. Late last Wednesday, Israel Cohen, the 
chairman of Giant Food, passed away at 83.
  Izzy Cohen was more than simply a successful businessman. He was a 
leader. He understood the complicated relationship between labor and 
management as well as, if not better than, anyone I can remember. He 
knew that the success of his business was directly related to the 
health and well-being of his employees. He was a man who always had 
time to visit with his employees, no matter how busy he may have been. 
He worked as hard for them as they did for him.
  Mr. President, the Washington Post ran a story about Izzy on Friday, 
November 24. The story tells of employees waiting around after putting 
in a full shift to meet and shake hands with him. It tells how he 
created a family atmosphere with his employees, refusing to be called 
Mr. Cohen, but insisting on Izzy. It stresses his most fundamental 
philosophy: to recognize the value and importance of every single 
worker at his stores, from the President of the company to the high-
schooler who bags groceries on Saturday afternoons.
  It tells of his dedication to providing the best service possible--
even if that meant he had to jump in behind a cash 

[[Page S 17538]]
register and bag a customer's groceries himself. This is a lesson from 
which every American should learn.
  But Izzy Cohen was more than just a businessman. He was a good 
friend. He never hesitated to share his feelings and insights with me, 
to help me get a better perspective on whatever issue was foremost on 
my mind.
  There is a lesson for all of us in Izzy Cohen's life: The most 
successful businesses are the ones in which workers and management act 
as a team. He proved that when management takes care of its workers, 
the workers will take care of management.
  Mr. President, the two groups are inextricably linked. Each relies on 
the other to succeed. And when the workers feel that they are getting a 
fair shake, that the boss is looking out for them, they will do 
everything they can to ensure the vitality of the business.
  It is my hope and belief that those who take over for Izzy Cohen will 
continue his work. I would also like to see workers and managers all 
across America learn from Izzy's example so that both groups, working 
together, achieve the success he and his employees have realized over 
the past 60 years.

                          ____________________