[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 31, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SETH J. DIAMOND
Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, Montana suffered a large loss on Friday
afternoon. A plane crash in the northwest corner of our State claimed
the life of three men, Seth Diamond, Ken Kohli, and Al Hall. Seth lived
in Missoula, MT, and Ken and Al lived in Cour d'Alene, ID.
Over the last few years, my staff and I had the pleasure of getting
to know Seth Diamond. As a representative of the timber community in
the intermountain West, I had many opportunities to work with Seth.
Whether we were working on changing the way our Government deals with
the Endangered Species Act or working in issues related to forest
health and management, Seth was there with fresh ideas on how to solve
hotly contested issues. It was Seth's sense of fairplay that gave him
such a good standing with groups on both ends of the natural resource
management spectrum. I valued and respected his comments and advice.
Seth Diamond was born in Philadelphia and grew up on Long Island, NY.
He received an undergraduate degree from Duke and a wildlife biology
masters from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In
1988, Seth found his way to Montana as a biologist for the U.S. Forest
Service. He worked on the Lewis and Clark National Forest out of
Choteau, MT.
The West is truly an unique area. Most believe you have to grow up in
the West to appreciate our way of life and feel a strong commitment to
protecting the businesses that have made Montana economically and
culturally what it is today. It amazes me that a kid who grew up on the
east coast could come to Montana and work to keep the wood products
industry a part of Montana's economy, but most importantly believe it
is vital to the well-being of Montana. Seth did just that.
Montana's resource dependent communities owe a great debt to Seth. He
worked to achieve a common goal of providing jobs for families and
protecting a renewable resource.
In addition to his commitment to Montana, Seth was a proud family
man. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and children Kale, Laura, and
Jesse Lynn. They and the rest of the Diamond family have Phyllis' and
my prayers.
Montana is a richer place today because of the work and dedication of
Seth Diamond. I feel fortunate to have been given an opportunity to
consider him a friend.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
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