[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DIANE KASEMAN

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I am pleased to take the 
opportunity to acknowledge the 43 years of dedicated service of Diane 
Kaseman, upon her retirement. A native of Rochester, NY, Diane began 
her distinguished career on March 27, 1953. Diane began her tenure here 
on Capitol Hill as a receptionist for Representative Kenneth Keating. 
She then moved to the Senate and worked for Senator John Sherman Cooper 
and has since served under the administrations of 11 separate Senate 
Sergeants at Arms, where she has worked with the service and computer 
facilities staff of the U.S. Senate.
  Diane's accomplishments have not been limited to her professional 
career, as she has endlessly devoted herself to volunteer activities 
benefiting not only her colleagues, but also many charitable 
organizations. In 1953, Diane actively sought and obtained approval 
from the Senate Rules Committee for the establishment of the Senate 
Staff Club. Founded in 1954 with 150 members as a social organization 
for all Senate employees, the club has sponsored a variety of social, 
civic, and charitable activities. Under the capable and dynamic 
leadership of Diane, the club's first treasurer, the Staff Club has 
grown to over 3,000 members.
  The organization has been responsible for a number of variety shows, 
dances, and dinners, however, an integral part of the club has been 
charitable activities. Diane Kaseman has been instrumental in the 
success of these efforts. In 1955 Diane helped to form a Senate 
hospitalization plan, which is still active under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of the Senate. The Staff Club was asked by the Red Cross 
to become part of its blood donor drive in 1978 and has continued this 
support. Diane has been a driving force behind this noteworthy campaign 
and has dedicated many hours of hard work to ensure that the Senate 
blood drive meets its goal. As a result of her efforts, the Senate 
Staff Club has received four Outstanding Merit Awards for its 
contributions.
  Diane won the 22d Annual Roll Call Congressional Staff Award in 1953 
as one of the founders of the Senate Staff Club. In 1981, Diane Kaseman 
received the Sid Yudain Award in recognition of ``her dedication to the 
well-being of her coworkers and for the generous expenditure of her 
time, talent, and personal resources in the service of the 
congressional community.'' Diane was also commended by U.S. Capitol 
Chief of Police James M. Powell for her unending assistance and 
patience during a special 5-week assignment in 1984 with the U.S. 
Capitol Police in establishing a system for providing security badges 
for all employees of the Senate.
  Diane's contributions have been vast and effectual. She enjoys 
volunteering her time and special talents in helping others and has 
contributed to the Red Cross, Children's Hospital, Walter Reed 
Hospital, Saint Joseph's food drive, Hungary relief, Mexico's 
earthquake relief, and Help for Retarded Children, among others.
  As U.S. Senator from New York, I am particularly pleased to 
congratulate Diane Kaseman for her outstanding contributions and 
dedicated service of the past 43 years and wish Diane continued success 
in all her future endeavors.

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