[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 11 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SALUTE TO RETIRING SENATOR WILLIAM S. COHEN

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to honor one 
of the many--and I might add that there are far too many--colleagues of 
mine who have announced they will be leaving us at the close of this 
session. Senator William Sebastian Cohen announced his retirement 
recently, and I would like to pay tribute to this close friend of mine.
  Early on in his career in the Senate, in 1978, Time magazine called 
Senator Cohen ``one of the GOP's brightest new stars.'' Well, Senator 
Cohen isn't exactly new anymore, Mr. President, but he remains one of 
the brightest stars in his party. It is a shame to see him leave when 
he seems in many ways more brilliant than ever.
  Senator Cohen became the senior Senator from Maine at a very early 
age, and it was a title that he carried with determination and 
distinction. He quickly established himself as a leader on foreign 
policy issues, playing a key role in shaping the foreign policy that 
prepared America for the gulf war and the new world order of the 
1990's.
  Early on in his Senate career, the temperate young Senator from Maine 
opposed adoption of the SALT II Treaty out of concern that it failed to 
take a hard enough stand against the Soviets. He was simultaneously an 
unyielding advocate for a strong national defense. His stance proved 
that one did not have to be an extreme and ardent conservative to have 
a patriotic belief in the importance of protecting our country's 
security.
  He continued to serve as a distinguished leader on foreign policy 
issues, employing intelligence and forethought that often put him ahead 
of the curve. He spoke out strongly against Saddam Hussein's stockpile 
of chemical weapons long before August of 1990. He also advocated 
redesigning our Navy to employ a greater number of smaller ships, with 
the massive sealift capability that the post-cold war world requires. 
Our Nation's shining success in the gulf war was due to a great many 
factors, but any attempt to take account of all those factors must note 
the shifts in our Nation's defense strategy during the 1980s in which 
Senator Cohen played a large part.
  On domestic issues, Senator Cohen has taken a careful, reasoned 
approach. He has refused to sit beholden to any one ideology or dogma, 
instead showing an unwavering commitment to the interests of his 
constituents. He opposed a large dam project in Maine that threatened 
the environment of that beautiful State, and he pushed hard to relax 
stringent Social Security disability requirements. Many have called 
Senator Cohen a persistent moderate in his own party. Well, Mr. 
President, if being a party moderate means recognizing the fact that, 
where possible, the Government should try to help out folks who need a 
hand, or having the courage to speak out against those who would, out 
of misplaced zeal and foolhardy arrogance, undermine our Constitution, 
then I say we need more of it.
  Mr. President, Senator Cohen and I came to the Senate only 2 years 
apart. Over the years, I have come to count him as a close friend, and 
I am sure we will remain close even after he leaves here. But I will 
still miss him, and I will always be grateful for his loyal service to 
this Chamber.

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