Senator Thad Cochran, R-Miss., was presented the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Lifetime Leadership Award for his life-long dedication to citizen service and for outstanding leadership in advancing national service as a civic commitment and legislative priority. Cochran was among thirteen legislators and citizen humanitarians honored February 14, 2012,  at the Friends of National Service Awards Reception, an annual event sponsored by Voices for National Service.
Cochran has been a long-time advocate for literacy programs, volunteerism and national service programs. Cochran serves as the Senate Republican Chair for the National Service Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to raising awareness of national service and expanding service opportunities for all Americans. In his acceptance speech, the senior senator from Mississippi spoke fondly of his friendship with the late senator Edward M. Kennedy, for whom the lifetime achievement award is named.

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