[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 18 (Friday, February 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         DIERDRA LEIGH SHARPUS

  Mr. McConnell. Mr. President, the media characterization of 
``Generation X'' as a bunch of apathetic, angst-ridden, self-absorbed 
young people certainly did not apply to Dierdra ``Dia'' Leigh Sharpus. 
For Dia Sharpus, a can-do former intern of mine, anything was 
achievable. Nothing came easy, though hard work was embraced. She 
expected excellence from herself; and for that reason, success was 
inevitable.
  Dia's was a face of the younger generation that most people had not 
yet seen, but those like me who had were heartened--even humbled. He 
life was so remarkable that her death last week, at the age of 21, is 
particularly hard to accept.
  The loss to family, friends, and colleagues--including those on my 
staff who worked with her--is deeply felt. Yet we will reflect on Dia's 
life, not with remorse, but rather with thankfulness that we were able 
to know her, and with appreciation for the boundless enthusiasm with 
which she lived.
  My acquaintance with Dia began when she applied for an internship in 
my office in 1991. Having been initiated into public service myself as 
an intern for Senator John Sherman Cooper, I pay close attention to the 
internship program in my office. Dia was among the finest candidates we 
have had, and the youngest I have ever hired.
  She was president of her sophomore, junior, and senior high school 
classes, student council representative, and managing editor of her 
school paper. Throughout her academic career, she had won several 
scholarships and awards.
  Not surprisingly, Dia excelled as an intern while simultaneously 
handling full-time university studies. The longer you knew Dia, the 
more you expected of her--but never more than she expected of herself.
  Last week, Kentucky and America lost one of their best and brightest. 
A young woman who was an exemplary human being as well as an 
outstanding student and staffer. Dia's life stands as testament to what 
is possible and admirable. Her life should give us hope.

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