Larry Cohen Held the Highest Office in All Three Branches of Government in Saint Paul

Larry Cohen Held the Highest Office in All Three Branches of Government in Saint Paul. . , 1970 - 1972 , Ramsey Co. Commissioner, Chair, Equal Pay, Gender Equity , Commissioner Cohen blew the whistle on the county hospital's salaries that paid women less than men for the same job. He leveled salaries to create gender equity in Ramsey County., Providing Residents with Outdoor Space , Commissioner Cohen was instrumental in establishing a parks and open space system to provide places for our entire community to enjoy the outdoors., Today Ramsey County residents enjoy a wide variety of parks, recreational facilities and open space areas., Cohen pushed to build hockey arenas in lower income neighborhoods. By 1974, seven hockey arenas had opened for youth hockey., 1972 - 1976 , Saint Paul Mayor, Giving Citizens a Voice , With effectiveness and humility, Mayor Cohen implemented a new City Charter that reorganized legislative and administrative functions, and hired professional department heads., By creating seventeen neighborhood district councils, Mayor Cohen gave citizens a voice in city governance for the first time., Honoring and Respecting Tribal Activists , Mayor Cohen welcomed Native American protesters to St. Paul during the volatile Wounded Knee Trial in St. Paul's Federal Court. With deep respect for tribal culture, pain, and outrage, Mayor Cohen maintained peace within the city., Decades Ahead with Fair Hiring Policies , To increase opportunities for people of color, women, and people with disabilities, Mayor Cohen enacted fair hiring policies, forty years before the State of MN passed its Affirmative Action Law., Envisioning Building Reuse , Mayor Cohen spearheaded preservation and renovation of the Landmark Center, which was slated for demolition. He helped envision its reuse for nonprofit arts organizations and procure funding., 1988 - 2002 , Judicial District 2, Chief Judge, The First Hmong Courtroom Interpreters , Judge Cohen saw difficulties in providing justice to new refugees who did not speak English, weren't aware of local laws, and were unable to find courtroom interpreters. He recruited Hmong individuals to become interpreters for his cases and created the first certification program for Hmong courtroom interpreters in the USA., Welcoming the Hmong , Judge Cohen welcomed the Hmong Community, and eagerly learned about their history, customs, and clan social structure. Pleased with the Judge's inclusive support, the Hmong community made him a beloved Honorary Elder., Innovative Sentencing , To serve the Hmong community, Judge Cohen helped implement Circles of Peace and Restorative Justice programs. Families participated in setting sentences to bring restitution to the community. Criminal behaviors were reformed without imposing criminal records or jail time., Youth Community Diversion , To keep young people stimulated, active, and engaged, Judge Cohen established community youth programs.,

Getting Things Done , Where Judge Cohen saw inequity, he actively searched for ways to advance justice. To finance his innovative programs and new community initiatives, Judge Cohen built support in the MN State Legislature by using his political ties and legal knowledge., Judge Cohen focused on inclusion and making things fair. Judge Cohen enjoyed the chance to improve people's lives, case by case.