Orrin Hatch: “I rise today to pay tribute to a long-time friend, a revered public servant, and a true southern gentleman, Senator Thad…”

“I rise today to pay tribute to a long-time friend, a revered public servant, and a true southern gentleman, Senator Thad Cochran. Thad Cochran will be retiring at the end of this month, bringing an end to more than 40 years of exemplary service to Mississippi and our Nation. Senator Cochran is a Mississippi man through and through. He was born in Pontotoc to a mother who was a school teacher and a father who was a principal. After graduating as valedictorian at his high school, Thad attended Ole Miss, where he earned both his bachelor's and juris doctor degrees. After serving in the Navy, he practiced private law in Mississippi for several years, but it wasn't long before he entered politics. After serving in the House of Representatives, Thad first came to the Senate in 1978, just 2 years after my own election. The truth is, I hardly know this place without him, and I can hardly imagine what things will be like when Thad is no longer sitting here. It is difficult to describe the special bond you share with someone who has been your close friend and partner here on the floor and colleague for more than four decades. Thad and I have been here through some of the most formative events in modern history, including the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of American hegemony, the creation of the internet, and the coming of the digital age. As Members of this body, we have had the privilege not only to witness history but also to help shape it.…”