[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 117 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE IN THE DEATH OF DIANA, PRINCESS 
                                OF WALES

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                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 1997

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, the outpouring of emotion following 
the tragic death of Princess Diana is extraordinary. We were stunned at 
the news of her death and as the hours and days passed we realized that 
it was more than the loss of a famous person; it was a phenomenal 
feeling of personal loss that stretched across the whole world.
  Here was a woman of noble birth who in a fairy tale episode became 
royalty and then the mother of the next King of England. People watched 
and were awed by her spectacular beauty and grace as she entered this 
rigid and seemingly immutable world. We worried that she would be 
smothered like the others by the ritual and the rigidity of the palace 
rules. Or worse, that she would lose her individuality and be stripped 
of her independence and humanity. Instead she demonstrated a resilience 
to stand her ground and unflayingly express words of understanding 
about the awful pain, suffering and despair so prevalent in the world 
at large. From her own hurt and from her giving we all learned the 
power of love.
  Despite her own personal problems, including her failed marriage and 
the public abuse that she had to endure, she was able to maintain a 
strong loving relationship with her two sons. She exemplified this 
devotion to her children by trying to assure that her two sons had an 
understanding about the reality of life among ordinary people. She took 
them with her as often as she could. She tried to translate into their 
life experiences her own deep abiding belief that people have a 
responsibility to love and care for those who are ill and who are in 
need of help.
  She ultimately lost any formal power, authority or office from which 
to plead the causes which she cared so deeply about. But she was not 
deterred. Most people would have become distraught at the loss of 
station and position. But not Princess Diana. I believe that it is this 
undauntable spirit that people admire most. Each of us wish that we 
could be as strong and as determined to follow our will. In adversity 
Princess Diana gained in strength and personal determination.
  In our world of politics, public people who stand up for the 
unfortunate, the homeless, the poor, and the hungry are offered 
derision rather than praise. Women who stand up for themselves and give 
care to others win suspicion rather than admiration.
  My heart is filled with admiration for what Princess Diana did to 
mobilize public opinion in support of human causes like poverty, AIDS, 
Hansen's disease, cancer, homelessness, and for her fight to seek an 
international treaty against land mines. My heart is filled with pride 
that this woman earned respect and affection on a scale unparalleled in 
our lifetime and in this century.
  I hold Princess Diana in the highest personal esteem for the glory 
that she brought to those in our world who care for people in despair. 
She celebrated their efforts and gave encouragement to their 
commitment. Her words were directed to governments to do more, to care 
more and to work harder to find ways to end this misery. She venerated 
those who love the poor and the sick and made their work a matter of 
honor.
  The brief life of Princess Diana teaches us that the importance of 
life is what we are able to do for others.

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