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| (By Bill O'Leary for The Washington Post) |
Defense Secretary
Contact Information Background from The Post
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
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
(703) 545-6700
FAX: (703) 695-4299
http://www.defenselink.mil/
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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