[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MS. ARLENE DeSEMONE

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I pay tribute to a proud member of 
the Rhode Island community, Ms. Arlene DeSemone, who, sadly, passed 
away on March 11, 1997.
  A leader in the insurance industry, Ms. DeSemone served as president 
of the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association in 1992. She was 
president of the National Association of Insurance Women of Rhode 
Island from 1988 to 1990 and was named professional woman of the year 
by this organization in 1994. Ms. DeSemone received the R. Kelly 
Sheridan Award in 1996, as the outstanding life insurance professional 
of the year. In addition, Ms. DeSemone received the Lloyd Saunders 
Award for professional dedication to her clients and the industry, and 
served on numerous committees, including the first Rhode Island 
Department of Business Regulation Continuing Education Advisory Board.
  Perhaps the greatest of Ms. DeSemone's contributions was her work in 
the fight against breast cancer. Despite her own personal struggle with 
the disease, Ms. DeSemone led the way in encouraging research efforts 
to find a cure for breast cancer. Ms. DeSemone cofounded the Rhode 
Island Breast Cancer Coalition in 1993, an organization whose 
initiatives received national praise and were recognized by President 
Clinton and the First Lady. The coalition continues to benefit from her 
efforts to raise consciousness about breast cancer.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Ms. 
Arlene DeSemone for her many contributions to Rhode Island and selfless 
dedication to helping others. Certainly, Ms. DeSemone embodied the 
strength and determination we all seek to find in ourselves.

                          ____________________