[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13045-S13046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN MEMORY OF IRA PAULL
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to speak in memory of Ira Paull, who
passed away suddenly on September 28 at the age of 52.
I was very fortunate to work with Ira during the 7 years he spent on
Capitol Hill as a staff member on the Senate Banking Committee. He
worked on the staff of Senators John Heinz, Jake Garn, and Alfonse
D'Amato. Ira was an integral part of virtually every critical piece of
legislation that came out of the Banking Committee. His knowledge was
vast and his counsel well-respected by Senators on both sides of the
aisle. I personally had the privilege of working with Ira in my
capacity as chairman of the Securities Subcommittee. In particular, I
have fond memories of Ira as he accompanied me, Senator Heinz, and my
staff on a congressional delegation to Europe in 1990 looking into
European Community Financial Services issues.
Ira's reputation on the Hill was that of a bright and talented
lawyer, and also of an individual with a quick wit and a tremendous
sense of humor. He became well-known for writing opening statements for
committee hearings that were not only well-informed and comprehensive,
but would even, on occasion, incorporate rhyme or poetry that would
bring a smile to everyone's face.
Though his job on the committee was to provide counsel to Republican
Senators, he earned a great deal of respect from Democrats as well. He
formed deep and lasting friendships with staff members from both sides
of the aisle, including my own staff, who valued his advice and counsel
and cherished his friendship.
Ira Paull was a hard worker, a dedicated public servant, and a
wonderful person who was taken from us far too soon. He will be greatly
missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know him.
I offer my deepest sympathies to his brother Gerson, to his sisters,
Susan, Leah, and Linda, and to his entire family.
I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record statements on Ira's
passing submitted by former Senators Garn and D'Amato.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
On the Passing of Ira Paull
Senator Jake Garn
I first met Ira Paull in 1988 when he joined the staff of
Senator John Heinz as his legislative assistant specializing
in securities issues. A year later he joined the Banking
Committee staff and I saw first hand how Ira's expertise in
banking, securities and accounting made an invaluable
contribution to the work of the Committee. Ira played a key
role in all of the key significant legislation addressed by
the Committee during my tenure as ranking member. Many of
these laws were of critical importance to the financial
stability of the United States, such as the legislation that
resolved the savings and loan crisis and the law that
restored the financial strength of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation. Ira's knowledge of accounting was
especially crucial to the Committee's work on these measures,
and the legislation adopted by the Congress reflects much of
the input and advice we received from him.
Ira's intellect and technical expertise alone would have
made him a wonderful asset to the Banking Committee staff.
But Ira's contribution went well beyond that. Ira took it
upon himself to share his knowledge and become an adviser to
senior staff and a mentor to younger staff. He was
universally respected for his personal integrity and strength
of convictions. Ira had strong beliefs about Aright and
wrong--and to his credit, never feared to express his views.
He also had a remarkable sense of humor, and members of the
Committee on both sides of the aisle enjoyed the statements
Ira prepared. His sense of humor also served to keep staff
morale high during the periods of high stress when staff was
required to work long hours due to the press of the
legislative schedule.
The passing of Ira Paull is a loss for all of us. He was a
bright light that shone on many people, including myself. He
will be missed by many, but forgotten by no one.
____
In Memory of Ira Paull
Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato
It is with deep sadness that I submit this statement about
the passing of former Senate Banking Committee staff person,
Ira Paull.
Ira was a strong presence on the Committee staff for a
number of years, staffing first Senator Heinz, then Senator
Garn and finally me when he became the Deputy Staff Director
under my Chairmanship.
No matter who Ira worked for at the time, though, we all
looked to him for his quick and concise explanations--Ira
could always cut to the chase. If any of us wanted something
more than that, Ira could also spend days on the details. He
was one of the few staff people that could actually do both.
Whether the explanation was a few minutes or a few hours
though, he was always passionate about whatever the Committee
was doing.
In fact, few could show such passion as Ira about the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or the minutiae of
thrift regulation. Ira's passion for the law showed no mercy
for lobbyists or staff representing members with contrary
positions to Ira's successive bosses. He was a strong
advocate for his member and very effective at getting what
his boss needed.
I remember one particular situation back when Congress
passed FDICIA in 1991. It was
[[Page S13046]]
right around the time that a minority-owned New York bank,
Freedom National Bank, had failed. They had all kinds of
community funds commingled and when the bank failed, FDIC
insurance would look at all of the accounts as one big,
single account. My office had gotten dozens of calls from the
Harlem community that stood to lose college scholarship funds
and all kinds of community program money. During the
conference, I explained the bank's predicament and got
included in the bill an amendment to look at each account
separately and basically cover all the deposits made by the
community programs.
FDICIA had one of those conferences that finished at 3:00
am and when the bill was voted on by the House and Senate the
next day, the Freedom National Bank amendment was nowhere to
be found. Both Houses were set to adjourn right after the
bill passed, but Ira worked Legislative Councils of both
Houses, the Chairmen of the Committees, the staff people, and
the Parliamentarians. With the usual Ira tenaciousness, he
tracked down every person who could help--no matter where
they were. Finally, Ira and I ran over to the House to do
what couldn't be done over the telephone. We arrived on the
floor, right as the House announced its adjournment sine die.
Two minutes later, the House floor reopened, passed the
Freedom National amendment, and readjourned.
That kind of dedication, that kind of passion and that kind
of can do and do attitude is what I will always remember
about Ira. The Freedom National Bank situation happened long
before I was Chairman of Banking--at the time, I was third in
seniority at the Committee. Ira was a pro and worked that
issue as if it was his money at stake.
He was a wonderful person, with a great passion and a great
way with words--drafting the most imaginative and creative
statements which the Congressional Record will memorialize
forever. And, of course, I will always remember Ira's laugh,
the great guffaw.
I join my colleagues today to bid a fond farewell to Ira
Paull and to thank him one last time for all he did during
his time at the Senate.
____________________