Political Quotes

Herb Kohl

The Public Record

Herb Kohl is a former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, serving from 1989 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was known for his focus on education, healthcare, and economic development. During his tenure, Kohl was a strong advocate for consumer protection and played a significant role in various legislative efforts aimed at improving the lives of Wisconsin residents. He also served on several Senate committees, including the Appropriations Committee, where he worked on funding for various programs and initiatives.

Quotes by year · 1994–20121,014 total · peak 2011 (181)
1994: 24 quotes1995: 13 quotes1996: 30 quotes1997: 24 quotes1998: 20 quotes1999: 16 quotes2000: 16 quotes2001: 27 quotes2002: 11 quotes2003: 97 quotes2004: 55 quotes2005: 42 quotes2006: 21 quotes2007: 24 quotes2008: 27 quotes2009: 162 quotes2010: 137 quotes2011: 181 quotes2012: 87 quotes

★ Featured Quote

December 13, 2012

I rise for one final time to address the Senate. My remarks will be brief. Actually, I just want to say one thing: Thank you.…

— Herb Kohl

Most widely reported

by number of sources
  1. today I rise to recognize one of our most prominent Wisconsinites, Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans paused for a day to celebrate our planet and press for the urgent actions needed to preserve and protect it. As we observe this 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, we once again reflect on the necessity of a clean and safe environment, celebrate the successes of the last four decades, and consider the long way we still must go to achieve the goals laid out that day. In Wisconsin, we also stop to remember and honor one of our most prominent citizens. Earth Day was born out of the passion of Gaylord Nelson. His life was one of service from the Pacific theater during World War II, to the State House as a State Senator and Governor, and to Washington, DC where he served Wisconsin as a U.S. Senator for nearly 20 years. When Gaylord came to Washington, he did so with a mission to bring environmental causes to the forefront of the national debate. He believed that the cause of environmentalism needed as much attention as national defense.3 sources2010govinfo.gov
  2. I send an amendment to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to setting aside the pending amendments? Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. Kohl] proposes an amendment numbered 755 to amendment No. 738.3 sources2011govinfo.gov
  3. today I introduce the Child Safety Lock Act of 1999, along with Senators Chafee, Feinstein, Boxer and Durbin. Our bipartisan measure will save children's lives by reducing the senseless tragedies that result when improperly stored and unlocked handguns come within the reach of children. Each year, nearly 500 children and teenagers are killed in firearms accidents, and every year 1,500 more children use firearms to commit suicide. Additionally, about 7,000 violent juvenile crimes are committed annually with guns which children take from their own homes. Safety locks can be effective in preventing at least some of these incidents. The sad truth is that we are inviting disaster because guns too often are not being properly stored away from children. Nearly 100 million privately-owned firearms are stored unlocked, with 22 million of these guns left unlocked and loaded; twenty-four percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 say that they can gain access to a gun in their home; and the Centers for Disease Control estimate that almost 1.2 million elementary school-aged children return from school to a home where there is no adult supervision, but at least one firearm. That is not only wrong, it is unacceptable. Our legislation will help address this problem. It is simple, effective and straightforward. It requires that a child safety device-- or trigger lock--be sold with every handgun.3 sources1999govinfo.gov
  4. Senator Grassley and I today introduce the Class Action Fairness Act of 1999. This legislation addresses growing problems in class action litigation, particularly unfair and abusive settlements that shortchange class members while class lawyers line their pockets with high fees. Let me share with you just a few disturbing examples. First, one of my constituents, Martha Preston of Baraboo, Wisconsin, was an unnamed member of a class action lawsuit against her mortgage company that ended in a settlement. While at first she got $4 and change in compensation, a few months later her lawyers surreptitiously took $80--twenty times her compensation--from her escrow account to pay their fees. In total, her lawyers managed to pocket over $8 million in fees, but never explained that the class--not the defendant--would pay the attorneys' fees. Naturally outraged, she and others sued the class lawyers. Her lawyers turned around and sued her in Alabama--a state she had never visited--and demanded an unbelievable $25 million. So not only did she lose $75, she was forced to defend herself from a $25 million lawsuit. Second, class lawyers and defendants often engineer settlements that leave plaintiffs with small discounts or coupons unlikely ever to be used. Meanwhile, class lawyers reap big fees based on unduly optimistic valuations.3 sources1999govinfo.gov
  5. I rise today, with Senator Sessions, to introduce the bipartisan Bankruptcy Abuse Reform Act of 1999, legislation which addresses a serious problem that threatens Americans' confidence in our bankruptcy laws. The measure would cap at $100,000 the State homestead exemption that an individual filing for personal bankruptcy can claim. It passed the Senate last year when it was included in the Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998 (H.R. 3150), and I hope that we can all support this measure again this year. The goal of our measure is simple but vitally important: to make sure that our Bankruptcy Code is more than just a beachball for crooked millionaires who want to hide their assets. Let me tell you why this legislation is critically needed. In chapter 7 Federal personal bankruptcy proceedings, the debtor is allowed to exempt certain possessions and interests from being used to satisfy his outstanding debts. One of the chief things that a debtor seeks to protect is his home, and I agree with that in principle. Few question that debtors should be able to keep a roof over their heads. But, in practice, this homestead exemption has become a source of great abuse.3 sources1999govinfo.gov
  6. I rise today, with Senator Kennedy and Senator Durbin, to introduce the State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act of 2006. This legislation would create a modest grant program to provide much needed financial assistance to States for developing and implementing effective State court interpreter programs, helping to ensure fair trials for individuals with limited English proficiency. States are legally required, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to court proceedings for individuals with limited English proficiency. Currently, however, court interpreting services vary greatly by State. Some States have highly developed programs. Others are trying to get programs up and running, but lack adequate funds. Still others have no certification program at all. It is critical that we protect the constitutional right to a fair trial by adequately funding State court interpreter programs. Our States are finding themselves in an impossible position. Qualified interpreters are in short supply because it is difficult to find individuals who are both bilingual and well-versed in legal terminology. The skills required of a court interpreter differ significantly from those required of other interpreters or translators. Legal English is a highly particularized area of the language, and requires special training.…3 sources2006govinfo.gov
Nov 29, 2012

I rise today to thank Rabbi Baruch Frydman- Kohl for his invocation this morning and welcome him and his beloved wife Josette to the Senate. Rabbi Baruch's father Jack and my father Max were brothers and Europeans during the First World…

govinfo.gov
Nov 29, 2012

I will just add to this list his place in my heart as a beloved cousin, valued friend, and welcomed reflection of all about our fathers that was strong, smart, and good. I thank the rabbi for his time and attention to the Senate today…

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Nov 14, 2012

AMERICA'S INVISIBLE EPIDEMIC: PREVENTING ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE

congress.gov
Sep 20, 2012

I rise today with great sadness to inform the Senate that Jennifer Green, a valued member of my staff and a cherished member of the Senate family, passed away last weekend after a brief illness. It is a comfort to all who knew Jennifer…

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Jul 24, 2012

we know taxes are scheduled to increase for all Americans next year, and we know an across-the-board tax increase on all Americans would be very bad for our economy. What we disagree on is which tax cuts should be continued. Unfortunately…

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Jul 24, 2012

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The remarks of Mr. Kohl pertaining to the introduction of S. 3427 are printed in today's Record under…

govinfo.gov
Jul 18, 2012

I am here today to talk about the state of manufacturing in this country, how we can do better, and how we can create more jobs here at home. The Bring Jobs Home Act is a good bill that will help keep jobs in this country, and help…

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Jul 17, 2012

The challenge for all of us is to figure out how to deliver care to them in a way that meets their needs but does not cost our health care system a fortune.

congress.gov
Jul 17, 2012

I rise today to introduce the Protecting American Trade Secrets and Innovation Act of 2012. This legislation will help American companies protect their valuable trade secrets by giving them the additional option of seeking redress in…

govinfo.gov
Jul 16, 2012

there is no appetite here or anywhere else to do another bailout for the banks.

congress.gov
Jul 16, 2012

the consequences of long-term unemployment are enormous.

congress.gov
Jul 16, 2012

now is the time to be more aggressive, I believe, in your approach to unemployment.

congress.gov
Jul 10, 2012

today I introduce the State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act of 2012. This legislation would create a modest grant program to provide much needed financial assistance to States for developing and implementing effective State court…

govinfo.gov
Jun 26, 2012

We ask that you support Senator Herb Kohl's S. 2158 to establish the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway National Heritage Area.

congress.gov
Jun 26, 2012

I am writing in support of SB 2158, a bill, sponsored by Sen. Herb Kohl, to establish the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway National Heritage Area.

congress.gov
Jun 21, 2012

I rise to support and encourage passage of this farm bill. Farm bills are difficult measures to shepherd through this chamber. There has never been--and never will--be a `perfect' one in the eyes of every Member of this body. But American…

govinfo.gov
Jun 20, 2012

Don't these stats demonstrate as clearly as can be that the continued importance of the four major record companies is intact?

congress.gov
Jun 19, 2012

I am concerned that standard essential patents are becoming the new front of the tech patent wars.

congress.gov
Jun 18, 2012

Senator Hatch and I submitted a resolution to increase awareness of Polycystic Kidney Disease, PKD, a life- threatening genetic illness. PKD is the most common genetic illness, and over 600,000 people have been diagnosed with PKD…

govinfo.gov
Jun 12, 2012

nearly 71 percent rated the care of their loved one as excellent.

congress.gov
Jun 12, 2012

About 2.4 million Americans die each year, and for them dying is a critical event.

congress.gov
Jun 12, 2012

Dementia, despite not being recognized a terminal illness several years ago, is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

congress.gov

Politicians like Herb Kohl