[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ROSALINE COHEN'S SERVICE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to a valued member of my staff, Rosaline Cohen, who is retiring after 
more than two decades of exceptional service to the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Many of you know Rosaline as the chief counsel for the Committee on 
Homeland Security, a position she has held since 2007. In that 
capacity, she has earned a reputation as a trusted and dedicated civil 
servant and an enviable track record for reaching bipartisan 
agreements. At the same time, she understands, on a deep level, what it 
takes to be effective as ``the loyal opposition''--as some of my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle would occasionally lament.
  Rosaline has been at my side since I was first named ranking member 
in 2005 and has been a steadfast and strategic partner during some of 
the most tumultuous days for this institution and the country.
  Rosaline will tell you that her congressional career actually began 
in the fall of 1990, as an intern in the office of the late 
Representative Gerry Studds of Massachusetts. She secured the 
internship--only days into her freshman year at George Washington 
University--after walking the halls of the House buildings with her 
first resume in hand, hoping to get an on-the-spot interview with an 
intern coordinator for a Member from her home State, Massachusetts.
  Her next chapter with the House started in February 2000, when--as a 
newly-minted attorney--Rosaline began working for former Congressman 
Ken Bentsen, whose district included her law school alma mater, the 
University of Houston Law Center. About a year and a half later, 
Rosaline was evacuated from the Capitol during the September 11th 
terrorist attacks, sheltering most of her office in her basement 
apartment.
  Her next employer, the late Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, 
provided her with an opportunity to get to know the newly created 
Department of Homeland Security, as a personal office staffer to the 
then-Select Committee on Homeland Security. In 2005, when the committee 
was made permanent and I took on the job of serving as the Democratic 
ranking member, Rosaline was one of my first hires. She started by 
handling transportation security, appropriations, and management 
matters.
  In 2007, in her first year as chief counsel on the committee, 
Rosaline spearheaded complex House-Senate conference negotiations over 
H.R. 1, legislation I introduced on behalf of the new Democratic 
majority to fully implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. 
In the years that followed, she has led our legislative efforts on 
everything from information sharing and emergency management to cyber 
and border security.
  As chief counsel, Rosaline has shepherded 438 bills through the House 
and 165 measures into law, leaving her mark on nearly every section of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other historic legislation. This 
is an extraordinary record, but more, it is a testament to Rosaline's 
dedication to our great Nation. Her contributions have undoubtedly made 
America a better and safer country for us all.
  And while serving as my principal legislative advisor--supervising 
and developing a staff of more than 30 subcommittee directors, 
professional staff, and executive branch detailees and fellows--
Rosaline always made time to mentor the next generation of public 
servants. You could often find her explaining to interns current 
proceedings on the House floor and calling staff into her office to 
stand over her shoulder to draft bills and develop legislative 
strategies together.
  Members of Congress over the years and across the aisle, and staff, 
both senior and new, have depended on Rosaline's wisdom and 
capabilities.
  Rosaline's contributions to the House of Representatives and our 
Nation are a source of pride for her husband, Yaneev, son, Zachary, and 
mother, Cindy. Her work for Congress was also a point of pride for her 
late father, Ohaliav, a naturalized citizen.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Members of the Committee on Homeland 
Security--past and present--and the entire CHS staff, I ask my 
colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating and congratulating 
Rosaline on her retirement. I wish her all the best as she explores new 
ways of sharing her talents.

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