The outpouring of tributes following former Sen. Herb Cole’s death made it clear that the Wisconsin Democrat was much loved as a lawmaker, but perhaps even more so for keeping the NBA’s Bucks in Milwaukee. It was clear that he was loved for his accomplishments.
Mr. Cole passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.
Mr. Cole, who bought the Bucks in 1985, faced allegations in 1988 that he was attempting to enter politics by using his personal wealth from his family’s department store chain to finance his own campaigns. He responded with the campaign slogan, “Nobody owns the Senate but you,” and won the vacant Senate seat by 4 percentage points. He went on to serve four terms, and in the last election in 2006 he won by a margin of nearly 38 points, earning praise from both Republicans and Democrats.
President Joe Biden offered his condolences Thursday, saying Cole’s “humility was always a source of immense strength.”
Mr. Biden served with Mr. Cole in the Senate for 20 years, most notably on the Judiciary Committee.
“We worked together to pass the most important gun safety bill in history, increasing funding for community policing, while giving millions of young people a chance to live better in life.” , to support juvenile justice programs that have helped significantly reduce juvenile crime,” Biden said. “Throughout his career, Herb was unafraid to stand up to the business world he came from, seeking to level the playing field for workers and make our economy more efficient and fair.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. It was clear that our thoughts were with the people of Wisconsin.” DN.Y. said in his statement after Mr. Cole’s death. “His kindness and Wisconsin’s kindness is something that is sorely missing in the Senate.”
“We worked together to pass solar power legislation in the health care industry and increase competition from generic drugs in the marketplace. Barbara and I are praying for his family,” said Charles E. – Sen. Grassley (R-Iowa) spoke on social media platform
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, who currently chairs the subcommittee, also mentioned Cole’s commitment to sports.
“Herb was known for his generosity, his passionate dedication to Wisconsin sports, and his steadfast dedication to serving the people of our state,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “Herb was never one to seek the limelight, but he didn’t need to either. His accomplishments ranged from philanthropy to supporting dairy farmers to improving access to affordable health care. says it all.”
The Bucks said in a statement that Cole’s “generosity led to the construction of Fiserv Forum along Herb Cole Way.” Cole sold his NBA franchise in 2014 and donated $100 million to build the current modern arena, which will host the 2024 Republican National Convention. Famously, Cole was a childhood friend and college roommate of Bud Selig, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team and commissioner of Major League Baseball.
Mr. Cole’s philanthropy at the University of Wisconsin is also highlighted by the Kohl Center, the name of the multipurpose arena in Madison.
“In particular, the University of Wisconsin Athletics would like to thank him for the arena on campus that bears his name and for his countless acts of support that have enriched the lives of generations of student-athletes, staff, and coaches. We are forever in debt,” said director Chris McIntosh. A University of Wisconsin athletics professor said in a statement. “We have lost a true legend.”
On Capitol Hill, Mr. Cole was generally a low-key figure, and in addition to leading the Antitrust Committee, he was a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and chaired the Agriculture Subcommittee.
“Everyone is different, and being in front of a camera is not something I seek, much less enjoy,” Cole said in a 2008 CQ profile. “I’m doing it out of necessity. I’m not asking for it.”
Mr. Cole’s successor in the Senate, Democrat Tammy Baldwin, said in a statement that she considers Mr. Cole her “role model.”
“No matter how strong the enemy, no matter how long the battle, Herb was willing to accept any challenge if it meant a brighter future for Wisconsin,” Baldwin said. “Herb was so generous with his resources, knowledge, time and heart.”