Leaders at the state and federal level are remembering the life of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl after he passed away on Wednesday. Kohl made his fortune as the co-founder of the Kohl’s department store chain before serving as a Democratic senator in the U.S. Senate for four terms and owning the Milwaukee Bucks for nearly three decades. He also established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in 1990, awarding more than $33 million to thousands of students, teachers, and principals across the state. In 2021, Southern Door Elementary School Teacher Jessica Meacham received the Herb Kohl Foundation Award for her work developing the district’s STEAM program and earning state and national rural teacher of the year awards. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers were among those paying tribute to Kohl, who was 88 years old when he passed away. Governor Evers ordered on Thursday that the United States and the state of Wisconsin flags should be at half-mast until his internment.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
“A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country. “Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing. “Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others. Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations. “Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin, friends and colleagues of Sen. Kohl, and the many people whose lives he impacted—both near and far—in offering our sincerest condolences to the Kohl family and the Herb Kohl Foundation in mourning the loss of this Wisconsin giant.”
STATEMENT FROM U.S. SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN
“Herb was my role model. Herb was a true public servant, leading with compassion and humility, and uncompromising in putting Wisconsin first. It didn’t matter how powerful the opposing forces were or how long the fight was, Herb was willing to take on any challenge if it meant a brighter future for Wisconsin. Herb was as generous as they come – with his resources, his knowledge, his time, and his heart. Wisconsin is lucky to have had Herb Kohl in our corner and we are undoubtedly a better, more just place because of his service. He truly was nobody’s senator but ours. My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and the entire Badger State as we mourn the loss of a Wisconsin giant.”
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson took to X to write his sincere condolences to the friends and family of Senator Kohl.
Picture from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation
