Update: Cochran funeral information

Former U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), who represented the Magnolia State in Congress for more than 45 years, passed away early Thursday (May 30) morning in Oxford, Miss., at the age of 81. Cochran, who was born was born in Pontotoc, Miss., was first elected to the Senate in 1978, becoming the first Republican in more than 100 years to win a statewide election. He was the 10th-longest-serving senator in American history. He resigned last year due to health concerns. Cochran had been called “Gentleman Thad” by his peers in Congress, and the “King of Pork” by detractors for securing billions in federal spending for Mississippi. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states, became part of Cochran’s legacy. He was chairman of appropriations, and convinced a reluctant Congress to provide $29B in immediate Katrina relief, including an unprecedented $5B in discretionary HUD Community Development Block Grant money for Mississippi. It allowed the state to provide homeowner grants for rebuilding. The federal relief was credited with preventing financial and social ruin in Mississippi and Louisiana after the hurricane’s destruction. Services for the former U.S. senator are pending. (Source: Clarion Ledger 05/30/19) UPDATE: Funeral arrangements have been announced for Sen. Cochran: Visitation June 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the University of Mississippi Robert C. Khayat Law Center in Oxford; Funeral service will be June 3 at 11 a.m. at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson; a second funeral service will be held June 4 at 11 at Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements. (Source: News Mississippi 05/31/19)