Here’s what Trump, other leaders remember about Thad Cochran, a ‘consummate gentleman’
The nation mourned with Mississippi on Thursday as the country learned of the passing of former U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.
Emails and social media went to work conveying the memories and emotions of the day.
President Donald Trump called Cochran “my friend” in a tweet. “He was a real Senator with incredible values — even flew back to Senate from Mississippi for important Healthcare Vote when he was desperately ill. Thad never let our Country (or me) down!” Trump said.
A sampling of other comments from the national and the state he represented reflected the respect people have for Cochran. They include:
National politicians
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss.:
“He treated everyone with distinction, and had a caring and concerned heart for his constituents and the state he so dearly loved. Mississippi is a better place because of his leadership that was guided by wisdom and faith. One of my most cherished moments, which I will hold in my heart forever, is playing ‘God Bless America’ on the piano while he sang it in his Senate office on his last day there.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.:
“The American economy is experiencing historic growth today in no small part because of the foundations laid by Thad Cochran. Out nation’s military is stronger, groundbreaking federal research continues to advance, our citizens are healthier and rural and agricultural communities from the Mississippi Delta and all across this country are more vibrant.”
U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss.:
“As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he fought to ensure our military was fully funded and that our men and women in uniform always had the tools and resources they needed to do their job. He was a legend in the world of agriculture for his legislative efforts that positively changed the industry forever. Senator Cochran never forgot where he came from. The State of Mississippi remained his priority. When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Senator Cochran made sure we received the disaster relief needed to rebuild. It’s safe to say that his work greatly impacted the lives of all Mississippians.”
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.:
“He was an excellent public servant who understood the necessity of diversity and inclusion. Cochran’s talents will be missed by all Mississippians. “
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York:
“Thad Cochran was one of the most personally decent, nicest people I’ve met in my career in the Senate. He will be missed.”
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader:
“Thad will be first remembered as a tireless champion of this 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.”
T.A. Hawks, Cochran’s chief of staff and staff director of Senate Agriculture Committee:
“He was a smart and thoughtful man who directed us to treat everyone who walked through his office with respect no matter where they were from, their background or station in life. He could immediately put visitors to his office at ease by the way he treated them and when pressed he would often entertain them with the piano in his office, however more often than not he would ask them to play. Much will be written about his impact on our state’s universities, shipbuilding, the Gulf Coast post-Katrina and agriculture, all of which is true. But the things I’ll consider long after today are his kindness, respect, hard work and how they were the hallmarks of his service to Mississippi.”
National Republican Senatorial Committee:
“He was a true patriot and champion for Mississippi values. May he rest in peace.”
Mississippi officials
Gov. Phil Bryant:
“Mississippi and our nation have lost a true statesman in Thad Cochran. He was a legend in the United States Senate where he worked tirelessly to move his state and country forward. He was one of our longest serving senators, and his influence can be felt in every corner of MS.”
Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann:
“One of Mississippi’s greatest public servants passed today. His life’s work is imprinted on each of us through his leadership in education, agriculture, hurricane relief, and his calm approach to the major issues impacting our State and our Country.”
Attorney General Jim Hood:
“He was a true statesman who will be remembered for the tremendous amount of good that he did for Mississippi. Our prayers are with his family. Rest in peace, Senator Cochran.”
Treasurer Lynn Fitch:
“He was a true public servant, a patriot in every sense of the word. He gave freely of his time and talents to Mississippi and our nation. We have lost a great man with his passing.”
State Auditor Shad White:
“Sen. Cochran served our nation’s military and the State of Mississippi admirably for decades. He is a role model to all young public servants because of his demeanor and dedication to our state.”
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson
“Senator Cochran exemplified the qualities of a steadfast leader with a true servant’s heart. He fought not only for Mississippians, but for all Americans. His lasting contributions in U.S. agriculture policy helped to create a more viable agriculture industry for farmers and ranchers across the entire nation, and for that, we are truly grateful.”
Mark E. Keenum, Mississippi State University president:
“I was blessed to have the honor of working with Senator Cochran for nearly 18 years in Washington, D.C., including 10 years as his chief of staff. I am grateful for our time together and for his service to our state and nation. He was truly a statesman and a man of the highest integrity. He provided extraordinary leadership and walked with giants, yet remained humble and true to his Mississippi roots.”
Larry Sparks, University of Mississippi interim chancellor:
“We will always be indebted to Sen. Cochran for his countless contributions to our institution, our state, and our country. His life of service and dedication should serve as a benchmark to us all.”
Brandon Jones, Jackson attorney:
“A consummate gentleman, Sen. Thad Cochran more than held his own in the Senate, had the ear of every adult in government and could represent the country in any setting. Still, folks back home in Mississippi felt perfectly at ease calling him ‘Thad.’ That ain’t nothing.”
Jill Mastrototaro, Audubon Mississippi’s policy director:
“It is hard to remember a time when Senator Cochran wasn’t in Congress, rooting for Mississippi and protecting our wild places. He was instrumental in securing funding after Hurricane Katrina ravaged our state, and in passing the RESTORE Act, which is helping our shorelines recover from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.”
Dick Hall, chair of the Mississippi Transportation Commission:
“We both grew up in the Jackson area and entered politics over 40 years ago. Senator Cochran was always a friend to transportation in Mississippi throughout his lengthy career. After Katrina he made sure Mississippi was a priority for relief efforts and did everything he could to help his home state rebuild our transportation network after the storm. He was often soft-spoken, but his quiet leadership was important to the prosperity of the Magnolia State.”
Local officials
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes:
“Senator Cochran’s genteel manner endeared him to people from all walks of life, and enabled him to build relationships that proved critical in championing Mississippi’s interests. During some of the hardest times on the Coast, we benefited from his exemplary leadership to secure recovery funding for our region, particularly after Hurricane Katrina and the restoration process after the BP Oil Spill.”
Pascagoula Mayor Dane Maxwell:
“Sen. Cochran was a friend to me and every citizen of the City of Pascagoula for many years, working diligently to help our community grow, whether it be through natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina or always supporting our local industries such as Ingalls Shipbuilding. Sen. Cochran’s legacy will be that of a true statesman who was the ‘Quiet Persuader’ in Congress. He advised Presidents but always took time for his constituents, serving Pascagoula, Mississippi, and America well for more than four decades.”
Rodney Bennett, president of University of Southern Mississippi:
“I will forever be thankful for Sen. Thad Cochran’s support of our institution, and his sincere appreciation for the positive role that public, higher education plays in the lives of individuals and the successes of communities across Mississippi.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2019 at 2:26 PM.