[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING THAD COCHRAN

  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy 
of the late Senator Thad Cochran.
  I appreciate having this opportunity to celebrate the life and 
accomplishments of Senator Cochran. His loss will be deeply felt by all 
of us here in the Senate, not only by those of us who served with him, 
but also by the many staff and individuals he has worked with over 
time. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1972, Senator Cochran 
touched many lives in his 46 years faithfully serving his State of 
Mississippi in Congress.
  As the son of a school principal and a math teacher, Senator Cochran 
understood the value of hard work and dedication. He emerged as a 
leader among his peers from a young age. He was an Eagle Scout who 
helped establish a new troop and valedictorian of his class in high 
school where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, 
baseball, and tennis. At the University of Mississippi, Senator Cochran 
was a fraternity president, student body vice president, and a member 
of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honorary leadership fraternity. 
Senator Cochran began his service to our country while at the 
University of Mississippi as a company commander in the Navy ROTC and, 
once graduated, was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve 
and assigned to duty aboard the USS Macon.
  As a fellow Eagle Scout, Senator Cochran demonstrated core scouting 
values like trust, loyalty, courtesy, and reverence. He displayed these 
values not only in his nearly five-decade-long career in Congress, but 
also as a father to his two children, Kate and Clayton.
  Described as gentle and soft-spoken, Senator Cochran was a defender 
of Senate procedure and often worked across the aisle. Senator Cochran 
was known to hold strong opinions; yet he developed close working 
relationships with members of both parties. Senator Cochran was 
determined that, if you look hard enough, there is common ground to be 
found with everyone. He earned his nickname of the Quiet Persuader 
through a determined yet respectful approach to negotiations.
  I had the honor of working with Senator Cochran in his role as 
chairman of the Appropriations Committee while I was chairmen of the 
Budget Committee. He was a hard worker and always guided by his core 
values. As a good statesman, he didn't let party politics get in the 
way and always did what he thought was right.
  In a nearly five-decade-long career in Congress, it is difficult to 
pinpoint Senator Cochran's single greatest achievement. Following 
Hurricane Katrina's devastation, Senator Cochran played a central role 
in security relief funds for Gulf States, especially for his home State 
of Mississippi. During his tenure as chairman of the Agriculture 
Committee, Senator Cochran was a champion of the farm bill's nutrition 
programs. Senator Cochran served as a tireless advocate for farm 
families and America's agricultural industry.
  Senator Cochran authored the Mississippi Wilderness Act, which was 
the first Federal legislation ever passed for the perpetual protection 
of lands in the State of Mississippi. He was greatly involved in land 
and wildlife conservation in Mississippi, a legacy of his that will 
endure for future generations to enjoy.
  Senator Cochran was an effective lawmaker who was a tireless advocate 
for his constituents. His model of public service was that the 
constituents are always right. He said we are in Congress to serve, not 
to be served. Senator Cochran's model of public service is one to look 
up to and his style of leadership will serve as an inspiration for 
future generations to come.
  Senator Cochran was a committed man of faith. A member of the 
Southern Baptist Church, he was always one to do what he thought was 
right rather than what was easiest.
  My wife Diana joins me in sending our deepest condolences to his 
loved ones and know he will find eternal peace and happiness knowing he 
had a profound effect on all that knew him a colleague, as a father, 
and as a friend.

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