[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.

                          ____________________