William Cohen

Janet Langhart, an African American, was raised by her Southern Baptist single mother in Indianapolis, Indiana. She progressed to a career as an accomplished journalist and correspondent. William Cohen, the son of a Jewish father and Protestant Irish mother, was born and raised in Bangor, Maine. He was eventually elected as the Republican senator from Maine. After meeting in 1974, Langhart and Cohen were married in the U.S. Capitol in 1996. Less than 50 years earlier, their marriage would have been illegal. As described in their book Love in Black and White: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Romance, the couple share with audiences their inspiring story of how two high-profile people of different racial and religious backgrounds have managed to overcome the long and troubled history of race and romance in the U.S. The Cohens discuss:

• Changes in attitude about race and interracial romance
• Racial and ethnic prejudices they have overcome individually and animosity they have occasionally faced as a couple
• Their views on current race relation

Having guided U.S. security policy and U.S. forces during an historic period in global affairs, Secretary Cohen offers a prospective and revealing examination - indispensable to political and business leaders alike of the opportunities and the dangers confronting the United States in the early 21st Century. How can the United States harness this unique moment in history to expand freedom and prosperity? How should the U.S. manage its critical relationships with such countries as Russia and China? How can government and business prepare against growing threats such as cyber-terrorism and traditional terrorism? What other risks do businesses face abroad? How does U.S. government policy impact the political and security environment abroad where U.S. businesses operate?

As the Secretary of Defense in President Clinton's administration, William S. Cohen led the Defense Department efforts to counter terrorism. During Cohen's tenure, the United States was targeted by Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda network in the bombing of U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and the attempt to destroy the U.S.S. Cole. Cohen was a key player on the national security team that decided to strike Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan and and a chemical weapons plant in Sudan. He also ordered the vaccination of U.S. troops to protect them from Anthrax and initiated planning to protect American cities from terrorist attacks involving nuclear, chemical and biological weapons In his presentation, Secretary Cohen discusses the most critical challenges this country faces in battling terrorism on many fronts, using all means available to us: military, diplomatic, economic, and intelligence. He also addresses the need for the United States to ensure the best possible domestic defenses and responses to biological and chemical terrorist threats. Cohen gives audiences a context for understanding why and how this country is a target for certain terrorist networks. He examines what we have done, are doing, and must do to meet the requirements these challenges pose. His perspective, gained from years of direct experience in working these difficult issues, gives audiences depth and breadth of insight far beyond what they would obtain from traditional media.