Cole Mourns the Passing of Chairman Dave Hobson of Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma released the following statement while mourning the passing of a former member of the Appropriations Committee and the one time subcommittee chair of Energy and Water, “Cardinal”, Dave Hobson of Ohio:

“Dave Hobson was a legislator’s legislator and a master Appropriator. I first met him when he was a freshman Representative from his beloved Ohio and I was a young Executive Director of the NRCC. We struck up a friendship that spanned more than thirty years.

“When I finally ran for Congress in 2002 Dave was one of the first Members of Congress to help me in the general election. And I recall him telling me, ‘Tom, when you get here I want you to think about joining the Appropriations Committee.’ I never forgot his wise advice.

“Dave began educating me about the Appropriations process before I ever reached the committee. By happenstance we lived in the same building in Alexandria and we both generally left early and came home late, which gave us time to talk about the committee, how it worked and why I ought to try to get there. 

“In the tough political year of 2008, Dave helped me while I chaired the NRCC. When he announced his intention to retire he told me, ‘Tom, don’t worry about my seat. I will make sure we have a candidate who will win it.’ He was as good as his word.

“When I finally reached the Appropriations Committee Dave was gone, but he kept in touch and was an invaluable advisor, especially when I became Chairman of one of our most difficult subcommittees, “Labor H”. 

“Dave Hobson was one of those old school legislators who the media and most Americans beyond his constituents never know. But he and Members like him make Congress work — reaching across the aisle, pushing for causes that matter to most Americans far more than the ideological slogans of the day and displaying personal decency and bipartisanship on a daily basis.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to Dave’s beloved wife Carolyn and his extended family and many friends. We have lost a great public servant and a man of character, common sense and good humor. And, like all those who knew Dave, I have lost a good friend,” said Congressman Cole
 

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