[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GERRY COHEN

 Mrs. HAGAN. Madam President, I wish to honor the service of a 
great North Carolinian, Gerry Cohen, who will retire in August as 
special counsel to the North Carolina General Assembly. For nearly 40 
years, Gerry Cohen has served the general assembly with incredible 
knowledge, distinction and commitment.
  Gerry was first hired as a general assembly staff attorney in 1977 
and later became the director of the bill drafting division before 
taking on his final role as special counsel.
  I had the pleasure to work with Gerry firsthand during my time as a 
State senator from 1999 to 2009. I found Gerry's extensive knowledge, 
legendary memory and professionalism invaluable and truly unmatched.
  Gerry will retire leaving a lasting mark on the institution he served 
over a long and illustrious career. His professionalism and grasp of 
the issues have endeared him to Republicans and Democrats alike and 
earns him the title of ``statesmen.'' He will be truly missed and 
impossible to replace.
  Gerry earned a degree in political science from the University of 
North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later attended the UNC School of Law. 
As a second-year law student, he served on the Chapel Hill Town Council 
before beginning his work for the North Carolina General Assembly. 
Gerry also served on the board of the Raleigh Transit Authority between 
2009 and 2013.
  North Carolina General Assembly members, both past and present, will 
sorely miss an institutional giant with an incredible grasp of the 
issues facing our State. Gerry and his wife intend to travel and enjoy 
time with family and friends in the next phase of their lives and will 
fortunately not have to travel far to enjoy our State's picturesque 
mountains or beautiful coastline.
  I wish Gerry and his family well and thank him for his incredible 
service on behalf of North Carolina.

                          ____________________