President Biden heralds Herb Kohl as 'dear friend' who lived out American Dream

President Joe Biden on Thursday weighed in on the passing of former Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, calling him the "one of the finest people" Biden had worked with and "living proof of the American Dream."

Kohl died Wednesday at the age of 88 after a short illness, prompting a flood of tributes for the former Milwaukee Bucks owner and retail shopping magnate whose presence was felt in ways large and small across the state.

"Herb Kohl was one of the finest people I’ve served with — a kind and principled man of integrity and character, one of Wisconsin’s greatest-ever advocates, and a dear friend," Biden said in a statement.

"As a businessman, Herb was living proof of the American Dream," Biden continued. "The son of immigrants, he rose from his first job as a bag boy in his father’s market to build an iconic retail chain. As the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, he helped to mold future world champions, and made sure the NBA team stayed put in his cherished hometown. As a Senator, he always chose work over the limelight and responsibility over ego, serving not for credit, but for the common good."

Biden said he and Kohl had served in the Senate together for 20 years, working on the issues of gun safety, community policing and juvenile justice programs.

He recalled Kohl as being fearless in standing up to the business community, supporting workers' needs and seeking to make the economy more efficient and fair.

"Time and again, he fought for farmers and food safety; for affordable health care, childcare, education, and prescription drugs; staying committed to the hard work of compromise on behalf the American people. Above all, he cared about the people he served — his employees, his customers, his constituents, and his country," Biden said.

Echoing others' comments, Biden noted Kohl's humility and said it was a source of strength for Kohl and those around him.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.