-9999

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl.

Herb was a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, a dedicated public servant, and my role model. He was a model boss, public servant, and Senator--always putting people first. But, if you knew Herb, you knew how humble he was. In fact, after he was first sworn in, one of his colleagues whom he respected in this body said to him: You are going to be a model Senator. I have heard him tell this story a number of times. He decided to look up the definition of ``model,'' and he quipped back by saying: ``Model, my friends, is a small replica of the real thing,'' making light of his rather modest stature and deflecting credit for his leadership. That scenario embodies a lot of who Herb was. He was modest, funny, and at his core, an unrelenting advocate for the people of the State of Wisconsin.

Senator Kohl served in this body for 24 years, but he served the people of Wisconsin and our country throughout his entire life. In the Senate, he didn't care how long a fight would take, how long the odds were, or who he was up against; if it would help the people of Wisconsin, it was worthy of him to engage in that fight. His mantra throughout his service was ``Nobody's Senator But Yours,'' and his record in Washington reflected that commitment to a tee.

In Congress, he worked quietly, diligently, and with focus. Herb fought to get Wisconsin's dairy farmers fair prices for their products, and he worked to invest in and save Wisconsin's family farms. He championed vital food assistance programs that children and working families rely on and worked to expand access to affordable childcare, elder care, and healthcare for millions of Americans. Herb knew that taking care of our great outdoors and our environment was key not only to our Wisconsin way of life but also to our economy. Working with both environmentalists and business interests, Herb secured resources to clean up drinking water sources and combat invasive species and pollution in our Great Lakes. He championed initiatives to help workers get the skills they needed to be competitive in today's economy and keep Wisconsin's manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.

Senator Kohl was never afraid to stand up to special interests on behalf of his constituents. He diligently led the oversight of mergers and acquisitions to protect competition and consumers in everything from agriculture to rail, to telecommunications, to healthcare, working with Democrats and Republicans to lower the everyday cost of essentials like prescription drugs and gasoline.

At the end of the day, it was always about the people of Wisconsin. That is why it should come as no surprise that his office was rightly regarded as the best constituent services shop in Congress. As he said in his farewell to the Senate in 2012, every Wisconsinite had an ally and an advocate in his Senate office. Whether it be getting veterans their healthcare benefits, helping a senior navigate Medicare, or getting a family their passports in time for a vacation, the Kohl office was always there. It is not the stuff that makes headlines, but it makes a difference for people, so Herb was invested in it.

While Senator Kohl actively avoided taking credit for his work, his colleagues knew that behind his measured and unassuming demeanor was an industrious work ethic, a ready sense of humor, and a fierce commitment to doing what was right for Wisconsin. As my predecessor in the Senate, I could not have asked for a better role model. Coming into this Chamber can be daunting, especially when trying to fill the shoes of someone with such a distinguished record and reputation, but luckily for me, Senator Kohl's steadfast support and mentorship began well before he escorted me into this very Chamber.

Throughout the years, Senator Kohl had been a constant source of wisdom and encouragement. He was generous with his resources, his knowledge, his time, and his heart. Any Wisconsinite who had the pleasure of meeting Herb knew this overwhelming spirit of generosity permeated everything that he did.

A product of Milwaukee public schools himself, Herb truly believed that investing in the next generation of engaged citizens was the bedrock of our democracy. Since 1990, his foundation has invested millions of dollars in scholarships and fellowships to help Wisconsin's students pursue higher education and allow teachers to better meet the needs of their classrooms. I know Wisconsin's teachers and students will remember Herb as a friend to education.

Whether you ran into him at a basketball game, at Ma Fischer's in Milwaukee, or visited his Washington, DC, office, Herb always had the time to say hello and take a picture. No matter his fame or fortune, Herb was truly a man of the people.

Of course, it is hard to talk about Herb Kohl without mentioning his beloved Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, it was hard to talk to Senator Kohl without talking about the Milwaukee Bucks. As the long-time owner of the team, Senator Kohl fought on more than one occasion to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee, recognizing the immense value of the franchise to the State of Wisconsin and to the city he loved. In large part, because of his determination and generosity, Herb was able to watch Milwaukee bring home a national championship in 2021 for the first time in 50 years.

While Herb is no longer with us, I know his legacy will live on for years to come in every young fan who attends a Bucks game and every student who jumps around at the Kohl Center while cheering on Badgers basketball in Madison. His impact will be felt by the thousands of students who will continue to benefit from his philanthropic efforts and the Wisconsin families who have food on the table and access to affordable healthcare, thanks to his tireless advocacy. I hope his legacy of service lives on in me and in all those called to serve the communities they love.

Though Herb Kohl may have had a reputation as a ``common man,'' his legacy is anything but ordinary. From humble roots as the son of immigrants in Milwaukee, Herb's immense success in business, in public life, and philanthropy personified the American dream made reality through a Wisconsin work ethic and unwavering commitment to doing right by his neighbors.

There is truly no one like Senator Herb Kohl, and Wisconsin is so lucky to have had him fighting in our corner. Herb's record of achievement and commitment to Wisconsin is undeniable. While he may not like to be called it, it is the truth: Herb was a model Senator, and my role model.

Thank you, Herb, for your service to Wisconsin. You will be dearly, dearly missed.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source