[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20432]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO NATHANIEL COBB

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary contributions of Nathaniel T. Cobb of Waterville, Maine, 
to this great Nation.
  Nate Cobb is a veteran of World War II, where he served as a combat 
engineer in the South Pacific and participated in the planning of six 
invasions during his tenure in the Army. Like so many brave Americans, 
he came home after the war and continued to contribute to his country 
and community.
  Over the years, Nate has generously and selflessly reached out to 
fellow veterans and their families in need, working to ensure that 
veterans receive the benefits they have earned and so richly deserve. 
To this end, Nate often devoted his weekends and evenings to helping 
veterans, even as he worked full time for the Waterville Morning 
Sentinel newspaper in Waterville, Maine for almost 40 years.
  In the 1960's Nathaniel Cobb demonstrated impressive foresight in 
proposing the idea of a veterans cemetery to former Senator Margaret 
Chase Smith, who worked with him to establish--in Maine--the first 
state veterans cemetery in the entire country.
  As State Adjutant of the American legion at the time, he presented 
the resolution calling for a veterans cemetery to the State 
legislature, which approved it unanimously. Not only that, but he 
worked tirelessly to secure funding for the cemetery, which was 
dedicated in 1970, and later helped establish a chapel there as well.
  Nate's achievements also extend into the realm of the written word, 
having written two books about the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in 
order to raise funds to preserve the ground for generations to come. To 
this day, the proceeds from the sale of this book are still generating 
support for the cemetery association. I am proud that a letter I wrote 
in support of his efforts appears in the second edition of his book.
  Nathaniel Cobb also initiated the ``Garden of Remembrance'' at the 
cemetery to honor those Mainers whose remains were never found. He was 
Sate Adjutant for the American Legion twice, State Treasurer for 12 
years, and State Chaplain for 6 years. He has served on the Maine 
Veterans Home Board and on the Veterans Loan Authority Board. It was an 
honor to work with him on the fight to preserve Maine's only veterans 
hospital--the Togus Veterans Administration Medical and Regional Office 
Center--as well as other fundamental needs of Maine's veterans.
  I congratulate Nate today as well as express my profound appreciation 
as an American for the lifetime of service and sacrifice he has 
rendered. He is truly an effective and doggedly determined advocate for 
veterans.
  I have nothing but the utmost respect for those, like Nathaniel Cobb, 
who have served with courage, honor and distinction when their 
country--and the world, no less--needed them so desperately. From World 
War II through Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, and 
numerous other conflicts, freedom and democracy have survived because 
when the call to duty came, our veterans were there to answer.
  It is because of them that we enjoy lives unfettered by oppression, 
in a democracy that stands as a blueprint--and a beacon--for people the 
world over. It is because of them that we stand at the vanguard of 
human rights, human dignity, and personal opportunity.
  And as long as America remains a beacon of hope, we must never forget 
it is a beacon that shines with the bright light of all those, like 
Nathaniel Cobb, who sacrificed for the principles for which America 
stands. We may hardly know where to begin in reconciling a debt to them 
that can never be fully repaid. but we know we can do no less than to 
try our very best.
  In that light, it is truly an honor to congratulate Nate Cobb on a 
life of accomplishments and contributions to this country of which he 
should be rightfully proud. He is a credit to Maine and the Nation and 
a true American hero in every possible sense of the world. Thank you, 
Mr. President.

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