Former US Senator Known as Both “Kind” and “Persuasive,” Dead at 81
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding the passing of his long time friend and colleague, Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS):
“I am sorry to learn that our friend and former colleague Sen. Thad Cochran passed away early this morning.
“Thad served with many Senate colleagues during his historic career. All of us benefited from the leadership and example of this schoolteachers’ son from Pontotoc, Mississippi who rendered 45 years of distinguished service as a legendary legislator, principled leader, and true gentleman.
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“Thad will be first remembered as a tireless champion of his fellow Mississippians. He took great pride in keeping promises to the people he represented — ensuring veterans’ access to care, improving educational opportunities, and continuing a record of stellar constituent service for every single Mississippian.
“But the effects of Thad’s advocacy were felt far beyond Mississippi. As Appropriations Chairman, he wielded great influence with abundant grace. His work to improve educational opportunities raised the sights of generations of students. He helped American farmers share their knowledge and expertise with the world. And by following up his own Naval service with a focus on national security policy, particularly missile defense, he left us safer.
“Sen. Cochran also believed deeply in equality and human dignity. He hired the first African-American congressional staffer to work in a Mississippi office since Reconstruction and steadily advocated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. And on a personal level, Thad’s generous and respectful spirit left a positive impact on everyone who knew him and everyone whom he served.
“The Senate sends our prayers and sympathy to Kay, to Thad’s children Clayton and Kate, and to his grandchildren. And we grieve today with all Mississippians the loss of this distinguished leader.”
The Daily Beast (referring to the Wall Street Journal), talked about the Senator in the most glowing of terms:
“Former Republican Sen. Thad Cochran died Thursday after a long illness. He was 81 years old. Cochran first entered politics in 1972 by winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives—only the second Republican elected to the House after the Reconstruction era. In 1978, Cochran became the first Republican from Mississippi in a century to be elected to the U.S. Senate. He went on to serve 40 years and hold several GOP leadership positions in the Senate. Cochran was known for his cordial and influential manner. Time magazine called him a ‘quiet persuader’ when they named him one of the 10 best senators in 2006. He was also known for his ability to secure funding for his home state. When Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf in 2005, Cochran directed millions of dollars in federal recovery aid to the region. When Cochran left the Senate in 2018, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he was ‘living proof that unwavering principle and collegiality can and should coexist.'”
