Thad Cochran: “yesterday was a sad day for me because it was the day when friends and family of Margo Carlisle, my former chief of…”

“yesterday was a sad day for me because it was the day when friends and family of Margo Carlisle, my former chief of staff, gathered to bid her farewell. Margo worked faithfully in a number of positions of responsibility here in the Senate. She was the first female staff director of the Senate Republican Conference, under the chairmanship of former Senator Jim McClure of Idaho. She was my chief of staff from 1991 to 1997. All who worked with her here know of her respect and appreciation for the Senate, and her conscientious devotion to our great country. She served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs from 1986 to 1989, and at that time, she was one of the highest ranking women in the Department of Defense. She received the Distinguished Public Service Medal in recognition of her outstanding performance of duty in this important office. She also served as vice president of the Heritage Foundation, president of the Philadelphia Society, and was a member of the board of the Marine Corps University in Quantico and the Washington Home Hospice. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Miles; and two children, Mary ``Nisi'' Hamilton of Bethesda and Tristram Coffin Carlisle of Alexandria. We extend to them our sincerest condolences. ____________________”