Cole Mourns Loss of Former Congressman John Porter

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after hearing about the loss of John Edward Porter, who represented the 10th Congressional District of Illinois from 1980 to 2001. Porter previously served as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on which Cole has served as the top Republican leader since 2014.

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of my dear friend and wonderful mentor, former Congressman John Porter," said Cole. "John was not only a great Member of the House, but he was also my role model when I was appointed Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. His legacy in that same role years beforehand included doubling funding for the National Institutes of Health, a funding priority I sought to emulate during my tenure as Chairman and which I continue to advocate for as Ranking Member of the panel. John will be deeply missed. My prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones as we all mourn his loss."

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