[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11046-S11047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO DUANE GARRETT

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, only 48 years old, a veritable dynamo, 
exuding ideas and proposals, knowing his words commanded attention from 
the humblest abode to the White House itself, Duane Garrett seemed to 
have it all.
  With a loving family, legions of friends, the respect and admiration 
of the lowly and highly placed alike, Duane appeared boundlessly 
blessed.
  Lawyer, businessman, political adviser, art and stamp collector, 
sport savant, historian for the San Francisco Giants, fishing boat 
skipper--no one could fillet a salmon with such aplomb--radio talk show 
host, television commentator, Duane was a talented universalist--the 
proverbial Renaissance man.
  Serious and thoughtful in his political analysis, witty and full of 
fun in conversation, a tenacious fighter for what he believed, yet 
practical and down-to-earth in his judgments, Duane was a true prodigy.
  A giving man, always surprising friends with a gift--a stamp to a 
collector, a baseball card from a hero of long-ago to a young fan--but 
as only the generous can, Duane brushed aside gratitude. ``It was 
nothing. Just thinking about you,'' he would say.
  And he would mean it because he gave from his heart.
  With him, everything was done with enthusiasm born of interest in 
people and intensified by an endless curiosity about our world and our 
place in history.
  He took to the microphone of his talk show with the same unrestrained 
gusto as he would enter a private conversation with an old friend.
  He never held back. He always gave his all. He drew unselfishly from 
his knowledge and experience. Widely read and deeply thoughtful, he cut 
quickly and expertly to the heart of issues.
  Certainly, I benefited from this ability as he advised me over the 
years, most recently as the cochair of my campaign for the U.S. Senate.
  His candor could be counted upon. His word was his absolute bond. His 
thought was as rich and inventive as any person I know.
  Also, he was a good friend, a person of great warmth and compassion. 
His mere walking into a room brought a brightness and warmth.
  His bearish looming over a podium at a political dinner--and he was 
master of ceremonies at countless of them for me--was sure to give 
instant vibrancy to festivities. He was a master not only of long range 
ideas and concerns, but of the moment.
  Actually, when his many talents and attributes are added together, 
the sum seems larger than life.
  That makes his loss all the greater.
  A giant who suddenly, without hint or warning, silences himself 
inevitably conjures a mystery.
  But even in death there can be no detraction from what he contributed 
to life, no diminution of his love for Patty and his daughters, Laura 
and Jessica; no devaluation in the worth of the counsel and friendship 
he gave, or of the affection and respect he received in return. 

[[Page S11047]]

  While we may never learn or understand why this ebullient man should 
end his life, we can never subtract from his accomplishments.
  We may never fathom the why of death, but we shall always be thankful 
for the fullness of his life.
  Outwardly, Duane was the epitome of confidence and elan, seemingly so 
impregnable. Whatever pain he felt, or doubts he had, remained 
concealed behind the customary lift of his head and broad smile.
  What drove him to that final, solitary walk on the Golden Gate Bridge 
may elude us, but what we shall always know is his love for his family 
and his zest whenever he was on the other end of the phone, or sitting 
in the living room or booming his opinion on radio or television.
  His life is what matters. His death is mere punctuation that makes 
clear the substance and meaning that came before.
  Indeed, Duane seemed to have it all, and for those of us who knew him 
he endlessly seemed to give his all.
  So very much alive, so bursting with ideas, so expressive, so 
reaching out to help others, Duane, even now that he is gone, 
reverberates in our mind in endless reminders of the vigor and 
principle he brought to politics and other endeavors.
  Campaign manager, advisor, counselor, invariably shrewd and 
insightful, always helpful, thoroughly unselfish, unfailingly available 
and generous with his time, Duane Garrett was always there.
  And always shall he be.
  

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