[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF GINA PENNESTRI

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it is with a combination of great 
sadness and great joy that I ask the Senate to pause briefly so that I 
may share a little of the remarkable life of my dear friend and 
confidante Gina Pennestri.
  I first met Gina when she was working for my hero and former boss, 
Congressman John Burton. When John announced his decision to leave the 
House in 1982, I decided to run for his seat. I can say without 
hesitation that without Gina I never would have won my first election 
to Congress. In fact, it is almost certain that without Gina I would 
not be here today as a U.S. Senator. After that first election she came 
to work for me and headed my district office until her retirement in 
1989. For these and all her other gifts, I will be forever in her debt.
  Gina was born on September 30, 1923 in Washington, DC. In retrospect, 
this makes perfect sense. She always seemed to have been born into 
politics. She attended George Washington University and became active 
locally advocating for voting rights for District residents. She began 
her long career in public service during World War II conducting 
employee relations for civilian employees stationed overseas. After the 
War she assisted with the Berlin Airlift working to assure that 
medical, food and other supplies got to those who needed them.
  Gina moved to San Francisco in 1951, where she began at once to raise 
a family and more than one ruckus. From her first days in the City 
until her very last, Gina was known for her community spirit and 
activism. Over the years she worked to protect open space, to achieve 
civil rights, to end the war in Vietnam and so much more. Gina could be 
tough. She believed deeply in the inherent worth of all people, and 
worked especially hard to protect those less fortunate. She was that 
all-to-rare person whose depth of compassion was matched by an astute 
political mind. When it came to fighting for what was right, she let 
nothing and no one stand in the way. Her example inspires me to this 
day.
  A thorn in the side to a few, she was deeply beloved by countless 
more. And to those who knew her best she was more than just an ally or 
friend, she was a member of the family. When Gina let you into her life 
you were there for keeps. Her loyalty was legendary, and her wisdom 
helped me navigate many difficulties, both in my professional and 
private life. My family and I will miss her tremendously. Our thoughts 
and prayers are with her son Marc, his wife Nancy and their children 
Laura and Daniel, to all of whom Gina was deeply devoted.
  So today, I stand before you full of tremendous sorrow over the loss 
of a true friend and partner. But through the process of remembering 
Gina and her time among us, I am also filled with tremendous joy--joy 
that I was so fortunate to have met her and shared in her generous 
gifts and spirit. It comforts me to know that although she is gone, 
these will most assuredly live on in the many lives she 
touched.

                          ____________________