[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 196 (Thursday, November 20, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8269-S8270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     REMEMBERING DR. EDWARD COCHRAN

 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of former Howard County Executive Edward Leo Cochran, Jr., a 
distinguished public servant and scientific researcher, who passed away 
earlier this month at the age of 96.
  Born in Maryland on March 18, 1929, Dr. Cochran was committed to 
public service, education, science, and family.

[[Page S8270]]

Dr. Cochran attended what was then Loyola College before pursuing a 
master's degree in chemistry at Duquesne University and a Ph.D. at the 
University of Notre Dame. It was during his time at the University of 
Notre Dame that he met his wife Catherine Joan Flanagan. The couple 
were married for 62 wonderful years and had six children.
  Dr. Cochran was a tremendous Marylander, making a positive impact and 
leaving a lasting legacy in our State and for the good of our entire 
country. As a scientist, Dr. Cochran made significant contributions to 
the understanding of free-radical chemistry, which he worked on at 
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
  Beyond scientific discovery, Dr. Cochran's impact was felt through 
his dedication to public service. He served on the Howard County Board 
of Education and the Howard County Council prior to being elected as 
county executive in 1974. In each of these elected offices, he served 
his constituents with distinction and fulfilled his commitment to 
creating a more just community shaped by equal rights for all. During 
his service, he helped move that goal forward by working to end 
segregation in county schools. He also formed many government agencies, 
including the Citizens Services Department, the Office of Human Rights, 
the Office of Aging, the Office of Law, and the Office of Consumer 
Affairs, with a focus on bettering the community he served and the 
lives of Howard County residents. He made more affordable housing 
options available to local seniors and enhanced consumer protections. A 
true believer in the value of education, Dr. Cochran was critical to 
the founding of Howard Community College and served as the first chair 
of its board of trustees.
  There is no doubt that Dr. Cochran's legacy lives on in Maryland and 
especially in Howard County. Just as enduring is the example he set at 
home, where he was an engaged and loving father who modeled for his 
children responsibility for the environment in a hands-on way while 
working on the family farm.
  Dr. Cochran is survived by his brother Donald; six children; Maryland 
Delegate Courtney Watson, Ted Cochran, William Cochran, Mark Cochran, 
Mary Catherine Cochran, and Christopher Cochran; 23 grandchildren; and 
13 great-grandchildren.
  The people of Maryland have lost an incomparable leader, but Dr. 
Cochran's many legacies will continue to shape the future of Howard 
County and beyond. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our 
condolences to his family.

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