[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1401-E1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MR. BARRY COHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of a true champion for justice, Barry Cohen. His remarkable work 
fighting passionately for all the people of the Tampa Bay community is 
worthy of recognition.
  Mr. Cohen graduated from Tampa's own Plant High School, earned his 
bachelor's from Florida State University, served in the U.S. Coast 
Guard and earned his law degree from one of America's oldest and 
distinguished institutions, the Walter F. George School of Law at 
Mercer University.
  Mr. Cohen served his entire legal career on behalf of communities and 
individuals he felt were not treated fairly. His desire to help balance 
the scales and serve those that some would describe as in the lowliest 
stations stemmed from a childhood experience where he witnessed his 
father being mistreated by a cook at work. He successfully waged 
countless civil and criminal battles on behalf of those he felt needed 
help confronting the powerful. He never hesitated to go up against 
anyone if he believed a larger principle was at

[[Page E1402]]

stake. He fought passionately for what he believed in, regularly taking 
a large number of cases pro bono, and sometimes putting his own money 
into cases he was defending, simply because he believed that an 
injustice had been done. Mr. Cohen was one of the pioneers in fighting 
his clients' cases outside the courtroom, especially when odds seemed 
stacked against them. For example, when Steven and Marlene Aisenberg 
were the only suspects in the disappearance of their 5-month-old baby, 
Mr. Cohen's defense included an appearance on Larry King Live. Charges 
were later dropped, and Mr. Cohen won the couple $3 million in legal 
fees.
  Mr. Cohen dedicated his expertise and resources to make a difference 
in the lives of so many in our community and by doing so enlightened 
our community and challenged us all to do better. It is no wonder so 
many put themselves in his hands to defend their life, liberty or 
protect the financial future of their family. He was a man who would 
work tirelessly--weekends, nights and holidays--whatever it took, to 
provide a voice to the voiceless. He believed that no one, regardless 
of position or wealth, was more entitled to justice than anyone else. 
His selfless service earned him a special place in our community and he 
will be greatly missed. Mr. Cohen is survived by his wife, Barbara, and 
their son, Barry Alexander Cohen, children, Geena Zaslavsky, Steven 
Cohen, Kevin Cohen; and his sister, Cynthia Cohen Wright, his brothers 
by marriage, Stanley Wright and Les Barnett. He was recently 
predeceased by his sister, Hope Barnett.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, we thank Barry 
Cohen for his lifelong respect and dignity leveling the playing field. 
He will always be remembered as a true champion for justice and the 
working people of Tampa Bay.

                          ____________________