[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11240-S11241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RETIREMENT OF SENATOR WILLIAM S. COHEN

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, Senator Bill Cohen's decision not to seek 
reelection at the end of the 104th Congress deprives the U.S. Senate of 
one of its most respected Members.
  Senator Cohen leaves behind a long and impressive career of public 
service for the people of Maine. With his election to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1973, Senator Cohen represented his constituents 
from Maine

[[Page S11241]]

diligently, and continued his efforts upon his election to the U.S. 
Senate in 1978.
  Mr. President, Senator Cohen has remained a moderate and thoughtful 
voice in a Senate that is increasingly marked by strident and partisan 
debate. Senator Cohen has attempted to rise above partisan politics to 
accomplish what is best for the people of Maine and the Nation. In 
1991, Senator Cohen voted to override a veto of an extension of 
unemployment benefits, at a time when America's families were beginning 
to feel the effects of an economic recession. In the 103d Congress, 
Senator Cohen participated in a bipartisan coalition that attempted to 
overhaul the U.S. health care system, after the administration's 
efforts were not successful.
  During the 104th Congress, I have had the distinct pleasure of 
working with Senator Cohen in the Centrist Coalition. A group of about 
20 Senators, the Centrist Coalition worked to reach agreement on a 
comprehensive budget alternative to those put forward by President 
Clinton and the Republican leadership. The plan we developed built upon 
the suggestions of the National Governors' Association with respect to 
the Medicaid and welfare programs. It also built in needed flexibility 
for States, while preserving the social safety net for our Nation's 
most vulnerable populations. It was the only bipartisan budget 
alternative that received significant support in the 104th Congress, 
and I am proud to have been part of that effort.
  Mr. President, throughout his political career Senator Cohen has held 
government officials accountable to the high ethical standards that 
people expect of their elected leaders, regardless of party 
affiliation. This was evident during courageous votes he made during 
Watergate and the investigation of the Iran Contra affair.
  Senator Cohen also helped create the independent counsel law, which 
mandates the appointment of an independent counsel to probe allegations 
against certain high executive branch officials. Further, Senator Cohen 
sponsored legislation to require that contacts between lobbyists and 
Members of Congress are officially reported.
  Mr. President, we are all grateful for Senator Cohen's dedicated 
service and tireless efforts in the U.S. Senate. Senator Cohen's 
distinguished Senate career is a testament to his hard work on behalf 
of the people of Maine and the Nation. His insightful approach to the 
challenges we face as a nation will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________