WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced that he would resign from the Senate on April 1:

“Thad Cochran will go down as one of the greatest leaders in our state’s history. He has been called the ‘quiet persuader’ for good reason. He commands respect through his tireless pursuit to help make Mississippi and our country a better, safer, more prosperous place to live. He has made us proud in so many ways. I wish my friend the best in retirement and thank him for a job well done.”