William Cohen

William Sebastian Cohen, born on August 28 1940, is an American attorney who has spent more than three decades in public service. After a career as a legislator representing Maine in both chambers of Congress, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the nation’s Secretary of Defense from 1997 until 2001. Throughout his tenure, Cohen emphasized bipartisan cooperation and oversight reforms, drawing on his extensive experience in legislative committees that dealt with defense procurement, intelligence oversight, and information technology management.

Early life and career

Cohen entered the world in Bangor, Maine, to parents whose heritage reflected both Irish Protestant and Russian Jewish roots. His mother, Clara Hartley, was of Protestant Irish ancestry, while his father, Reuben Cohen, had been born in New York to a family that traced its origins to a Russian Jewish immigrant. The two operated the local Bangor Rye Bread Company together. Raised with exposure to both Jewish traditions—attending synagogue and Hebrew school—and Christian practices, Cohen ultimately chose to practice Christianity after deciding not to pursue a formal bar mitzvah.

He completed his secondary education at Bangor High School in 1958 before enrolling at Bowdoin College. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Latin in 1962 and became a member of the Kappa chapter of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. During his high school and college years, Cohen distinguished himself as an athlete; he played basketball for Bangor High School and was selected to Maine’s all‑state teams at both the high‑school and collegiate levels, later being inducted into the New England All‑Star Hall of Fame.

Following Bowdoin, Cohen attended Boston University School of Law, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Laws in 1965. He entered public service as an assistant county attorney for Penobscot County from 1968 to 1970. In parallel, he pursued academic roles: instructing at Husson College in Bangor and teaching business administration at the University of Maine between 1968 and 1972. His early civic engagement included serving on the Bangor School Board (1971–1972) and holding the mayoralty of Bangor during 1971–1972.

Cohen’s legal career also saw him serve as vice president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association from 1970 to 1972. In 1972, he became a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, and in 1975 was recognized by U.S. Jaycees as one of their “ten outstanding young men.” His local political involvement continued with membership on the Bangor City Council from 1969 to 1972.

Cabinet tenure

Cohen’s national legislative career began when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1972, representing Maine’s second congressional district. He succeeded William Hathaway and served three terms until 1979. While in the House, Cohen was a member of the Judiciary Committee and participated in the 1974 impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon; he was among the first Republicans on the committee to support impeachment. His early prominence earned him recognition from *Time* magazine as one of “America’s 200 Future Leaders.”

In 1978, Cohen won election to the United States Senate, defeating incumbent William Hathaway. He served in that body for eighteen years (1979–1997), securing reelection in 1984 and 1990, the latter against Democrat Neil Rolde. During his senatorial tenure he held positions on several influential committees: the Armed Services Committee, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Intelligence Committee (where he served as vice chairman from 1987 to 1991). Cohen’s legislative work included drafting or sponsoring a number of defense‑related statutes, such as the Competition in Contracting Act (1984), the Montgomery G.I. Bill Act (1984), the Goldwater–Nichols Act (1986), the Intelligence Oversight Reform Act (1991), the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (1996), and the Information Technology Management Reform Act—commonly known as the Clinger‑Cohen Act (1996). He also contributed to the Nunn–Cohen Act Amendment that established the United States Special Operations Command.

Beyond defense, Cohen supported civil rights legislation; he voted in favor of establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday and for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, including overriding President Ronald Reagan’s veto. He also cast votes supporting the nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1994, Cohen authored an investigative report on federal information‑technology procurement titled *Computer Chaos: Billions Wasted Buying Federal Computer Systems*. The study highlighted inefficiencies in government computer acquisitions and sparked widespread discussion about IT reform.

When he chose not to seek reelection in 1996, Susan Collins succeeded him in the Senate. That same year, President Bill Clinton announced Cohen’s selection as Secretary of Defense on December 5. Confirmed by the Senate, Cohen served from 1997 until 2001. During his tenure, he oversaw U.S. military operations in Iraq and Kosovo, including the dismissal of Wesley Clark from his role as NATO Supreme Allied Commander. His leadership also encompassed Operation Desert Fox in Iraq and other strategic initiatives that shaped post‑Cold War defense policy.

Legacy

Cohen’s career is often characterized by a reputation for moderation and bipartisan collaboration. He maintained strong working relationships with President Clinton, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, fostering what observers described as an “almost ideal” partnership. At the same time, he was noted for his willingness to challenge colleagues when policy differences arose; notably, he clashed with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright over her perceived propensity for public statements on military matters.

His legislative record reflects a consistent focus on defense procurement efficiency, intelligence oversight, and information‑technology modernization—areas that remain central to contemporary defense administration. The Clinger‑Cohen Act, in particular, continues to influence federal IT acquisition practices. Cohen’s tenure as Secretary of Defense is also remembered for its emphasis on maintaining bipartisan support for the armed forces during a period marked by significant geopolitical shifts.

In sum, William Sebastian Cohen’s public service spans local governance, state and national legislation, and executive leadership within the Department of Defense. His contributions to defense policy reform, civil‑rights advocacy, and legislative oversight have left an enduring imprint on the structure and conduct of U.S. military and governmental operations.