[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1322-E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE LATE DIANE BLAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a great Arkansan. 
Today President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and many 
other distinguished citizens of Arkansas are attending a memorial 
service in Fayetteville to celebrate and honor the life of Diane Blair, 
who passed away last month. I believe that Diane Blair also deserves a 
tribute in the Congress, because her influence and service impacted our 
nation as well.
  Diane was first and foremost a professor of political science at the 
University of Arkansas, and it was through this role that she touched 
an entire generation of Americans. She literally ``wrote the book'' on 
Arkansas politics--Arkansas Politics and Government: Do the People 
Rule? still stands as the one and only authoritative treatment of the 
subject. Beyond her academic accomplishments, Diane is best remembered 
as a caring and thoughtful teacher. She engaged her students, and 
imparted her love of learning to them.
  Moreover, through her example she inspired countless people to become 
active in the political system. She was the conscience of the 
Democratic party in Arkansas for years, but her grace and magnanimity 
attracted admirers from across the political spectrum. She was an 
outspoken advocate for women and education, and for progress in 
general.
  Her accomplishments are manifold and diverse: chairwoman of state and 
national commissions, including the Corporation for Public 
Broadcasting; professor emerita; author and editor of two books; mother 
of five, grandmother of two.
  The life of Diane Blair will be memorialized in many ways. The 
University of Arkansas will create a center for the study of southern 
political culture in her name. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting 
has already named its new boardroom in her honor. However, the best 
memorial to Diane Blair exists in the hearts and minds of her friends, 
students, and loved ones. I am proud to count myself among this 
fortunate group, and on behalf of the Congress I extend my deepest 
sympathies to the family of Diane Blair in their time of mourning.

[[Page E1323]]



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