Thad Cochran, who died Thursday morning in Oxford at the age of 81, was perhaps the best statesman ever to come out of Mississippi.

Cochran, a Republican who served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 1972, and more than six terms in the U.S. Senate beginning in 1981, is remembered by many people for his support of numerous Mississippi projects through his long career.

In Natchez and Adams County, Cochran was instrumental in securing federal funding for such projects as the second Mississippi River bridge, the bluff stabilization project, the Natchez Visitor and Reception Center, the North Natchez drainage project and many more project.

Mississippians are forever indebted to Cochran for the years he was such a champion not only for Natchez and Adams County but also Mississippi and the nation.

Perhaps Cochran’s greatest legacy, however, was his willingness to work across party lines.

Cochran and his former colleague John McCain exemplified the definition of statesmanship by working together to make the best choices for all citizens of our nation.

Rather than staking a partisan line in the sand, they were willing to give and take to make the best decisions possible for all people, and that is what elected representatives should do.

Such statesmanship is virtually non-existent in Washington, D.C., today with partisan stonewalling being the order of the day.

The passing of both Cochran and McCain serve as stark reminders of that sad fact.

Godspeed, Sen. Cochran. Thank you for your service. We will long enjoy the results of your hard work.

May your example of statesmanship guide us in the future.