[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E33-E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR HERBERT (HERB) KOHL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 12, 2024

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to extend my deepest condolences to the family and community 
grieving the loss of the esteemed former United States Senator Herbert 
Hiken Kohl. Senator Herb Kohl, a notable figure in the political, 
sporting, and education spheres, passed away on December 27, 2023, at 
the age of 88.
  Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the union of his Polish Jewish 
immigrant father, Max Kohl, and his Russian Jewish mother, Mary Kohl. 
Senator Kohl's humble beginnings trace back to Washington High School. 
He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison in 1956, where he also became a Pi Lambda Phi 
fraternity member. Continuing his academic pursuits, he obtained a 
Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School 
in 1958, concurrently serving in the United States Army Reserve from 
1958 to 1964.
  Senator Kohl entered the political scene around the 1970s, initially 
as a donor and fundraiser for then Governor Patrick Lucey. Following 
Governor Lucey's 1974 inauguration, Senator Kohl assumed a prominent 
role as the chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (WisDems). Under 
his leadership, WisDems achieved historic victories in the 1976 
election, securing a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature. 
He remained chairman of WisDems until he resigned at the June 1977 
state party convention.
  A stalwart public servant, Senator Kohl dedicated four consecutive 
terms to representing Wisconsin as a U.S. Senator from 1989 to 2013. 
Notably, he holds the distinction of having an undefeated record in 
politics, winning all 72 counties in Wisconsin during the 2006 
election. His bipartisan approach and commitment to addressing crucial 
issues earned him respect across party lines.
  In addition to his political contributions, Senator Kohl left a 
permanent mark on the world of sports as the owner of the Milwaukee 
Bucks in the National Basketball Association. Acquiring the team in 
1985, he guided them through challenges and triumphs, demonstrating his 
commitment to both the local community and the sport of basketball. 
Under Kohl's stewardship, the Bucks became a source of pride for 
Milwaukeeans, and his passion for keeping the Bucks in the city of 
Milwaukee was evident when he pledged $100 million of his own money to 
support the construction of what many now know as the Fiserv Forum.
  Beyond his political and sports achievements, Senator Kohl's passion 
extended to

[[Page E34]]

uplifting Wisconsinites. A staunch supporter of public education, he 
funded efforts to bolster public schools, students, and educators in 
the state. Establishing the Herb Kohl Philanthropies, he recognized 
students, teachers, and schools with grants to support educational 
achievement. Since its founding, the Herb Kohl Foundation has 
distributed over $20.9 million in grants and scholarships, impacting 
the lives of over 8,000 individuals and benefiting more than 3,000 
schools.
  A singular thread unites the various tributes pouring in from the 
realms of politics, sports, and philanthropy: Senator Herb Kohl's 
sincere and compassionate demeanor. Colleagues, allies, adversaries, 
and athletes alike enthusiastically praise him for his boundless 
generosity, unassuming modesty, and the enduring relationships he 
fostered throughout his life.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Herb Kohl stood as a beacon of moral principles 
during a time marked by commercializing professional sports and 
increasing political polarization. His legacy serves as a poignant 
reminder of the positive impact one person can make when guided by 
morality, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. 
Herb Kohl was a man of the people, who truly cared for all 
Wisconsinites. His footprint on our state will remain forever.

                          ____________________