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Defense Secretary
President Clinton fulfilled his wish for a bipartisan Cabinet by appointing Republican William S. Cohen to head the Pentagon. The former senator from Maine is anything but a yes-man. In Congress, he demonstrated an independent streak, criticizing some of the administration's defense policies, including the presence of U.S. troops in Bosnia. But he also criticized pet GOP defense projects, including the B-2 stealth bomber. As secretary, Cohen's most critical challenges include reconfiguring the post-Cold War military and responding to the sexual harassment and assault charges that have plagued the armed services.
Sworn in: Jan. 24, 1997 (nominated Dec. 5, 1996, confirmed Jan. 22, 1997) Succeeded: William J. Perry Previous occupation: U.S. senator from Maine 1979-97; U.S. representative (R-Maine-2) 1973-79; member, Senate Armed Services Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, 1979-97; member, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 1983-91 and 1995-97, vice chairman, 1987-91; board of directors, Council on Foreign Relations from 1989-97, chairman, Middle East Study Group, 1996; author; mayor, Bangor, Maine, 1971-72; Bangor City Council, 1969-72; instructor, University of Maine, 1968-72, Husson College, 1968; assistant Penobscot County (Maine) attorney, 1968; attorney, 1966-72. Education: Bowdoin College, 1962 (B.A. in Latin), and Boston University Law School, 1965 (L.L.B. cum laude). Hometown: Bangor, Maine Date of Birth: Aug. 28, 1940 Spouse: Janet Langhart, president of Langhart Communications Children: Two sons, Kevin and Chris Religion: Unitarian Of note: Cohen, the 20th U.S. secretary of Defense, has written or co-written eight books, including two books of poetry, three novels and three works of nonfiction. He is the first Republican politician to serve a Democratic president as secretary of Defense.
Department of Defense
Cohen at a Crossroads After Base Closing Loss May 19, 1998 Cohen Declines to Segregate Military Trainees March 17, 1998 A Favored Clinton Format Is Turned Against His Team Feb. 19, 1998 Top Advisers Shouted Down At 'Town Meeting' on Iraq Feb. 19, 1998 Cohen Hails Achievements In China Visit Jan. 20, 1998 In Defense of Love Beyond Race Dec. 14, 1997 Cohen Plays Skeptic Role On Bosnia Nov. 30, 1997 Cohen Sets Major Pentagon Overhaul Nov. 10, 1997 Sex and the Military: Cohen's Reason June 10, 1997 Cohen Presses Congress to Approve Military Base Closings, Troop Cuts May 17, 1997 Ability to Fight in Two Spots Remains Priority, Cohen Says May 13, 1997 Pentagon Outlines Cost-Saving Moves May 7, 1997 Cohen Weighing Three Possible Courses for Shape of Future U.S. Military April 4, 1997 For Defense Secretary, It's All in the Details March 11, 1997 An 'Outsider' Set to Take Over Pentagon Jan. 22, 1997 Moderate Senator Built Reputation For Independence Dec. 6, 1996
© Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company |
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