[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14-S15]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF DIANE WOLF

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 419.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 419) honoring the life and 
     extraordinary contributions of Diane Wolf.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 419) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 419

       Whereas the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep 
     regret of the untimely death of Diane Wolf, a member of the 
     Senate Preservation Board of Trustees and a former 
     distinguished member of the United States Commission of Fine 
     Arts; and
       Whereas for over 2 decades Diane Wolf devoted extraordinary 
     personal efforts to and displayed great passion for the 
     preservation and restoration of the United States Capitol 
     Building, and was singularly instrumental in supporting and 
     guiding the early efforts of the United States Capitol 
     Preservation Commission and developing the plans for striking 
     the coins commemorating the Bicentennial of the United States 
     Capitol: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the life and extraordinary contributions of 
     Diane Wolf;
       (2) conveys its sorrow and deepest condolences to the 
     family of Diane Wolf on her untimely death; and
       (3) requests the Secretary of the Senate to convey an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Diane Wolf.

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I wish today to recognize the public service 
contributions of Diane Wolf. I also wish to join in cosponsoring the 
Senate resolution expressing condolences to the family of Ms. Wolf upon 
her unexpected passing. Diane Wolf was a unique and remarkable 
individual. Diane Wolf was very inspired by our democratic institutions 
and, with an abundance of energy and goodwill, she inspired others to 
share her appreciation for the blessings of our liberties and the 
institutions that protect them. She was an enthusiastic student of the 
form and process of our representative democracy and she greatly 
admired the structures that house our government, especially the 
``Shrine of Democracy''--the U.S. Capitol.
  It was her appreciation of the art, architecture, and history of the 
Capitol that initially brought Ms. Wolf to my attention. At that time, 
Ms. Wolf served as a member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Art, which 
oversees the design of U.S. coins. During my second tenure as majority 
leader of the Senate in 1988, I sponsored and achieved passage of a 
bill establishing the Capitol Preservation Commission and a bill 
authorizing the Congressional Bicentennial Coin Program. As these 
legislative items were developed, considered, and passed, Diane Wolf 
provided a wealth of ideas, expertise, and counsel, and the results of 
her efforts will prove beneficial to Americans and their Capitol for 
perhaps as long as this building shall stand.
  As stated in the Capitol Preservation Commission law, the purpose of 
that Commission is to provide for ``improvements in, preservation of, 
and acquisitions for, the United States Capitol'' Additionally, through 
the Congressional Bicentennial Coin Program, Congress celebrated its 
inception and history by authorizing the minting of three commemorative 
coins, the surcharges of which were made available to the Capitol 
Preservation Commission for the preservation and improvement of the 
Capitol. As I stated on the Senate floor on October 7, 1988, these 
proceeds would provide historic art, furnishings, and documents for 
display in public areas of the Capitol to be seen by millions of 
Americans and international visitors for generations to come.
  Diane Wolf was a very accomplished individual. She earned her 
undergraduate degree cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, 
became a teacher with masters degree in education from Columbia 
University, and later became an attorney after graduating the 
Georgetown University Law Center. She served as President of the 
Capitol Hill chapter of the Federal Bar Association and was a member of 
the Senate Preservation Board of Trustees. Ms. Wolf also contributed 
actively to several other national and local civic organizations. She 
served on boards and councils supporting the National Archives, the 
Library of Congress, National Public Radio, the National Trust for 
Historic Preservation, Georgetown University Law Center, the Woodrow 
Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts, the National Symphony

[[Page S15]]

Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, and the Smithsonian Council 
for American Art. In New York City, Ms. Wolf served on the Rockefeller 
University Council and was a benefactor of the Metropolitan Museum of 
Art.
  Finally, Mr. President, no description of Diane Wolf would be 
complete without recognizing the generosity of her spirit, the strength 
of her character, and the cheerful nature of her personality. She met 
everyone with a bright smile, and very often she humbly and quietly 
lent a hand to others, asking nothing in return. She was respected by 
Members of Congress and their staff, not only for her knowledge and 
advice, but also for her genuine friendliness, gracefulness, and humor. 
She was much admired and appreciated by everyone in the Capitol 
community, including secretaries, doorkeepers, elevator operators, and 
Capitol Police alike.
  Diane Wolf will be missed. I join my Senate colleagues in conveying 
to her family deepest condolences, and with great respect repeat here 
the words of Adon 'Olam, one of the most familiar hymns in all of 
Jewish liturgy:

                               Adon 'Olam

     The Lord of all, who reigned supreme Ere first Creation's 
           form was framed; When all was finished by His will His 
           Name Almighty was proclaimed.

     When this our world shall be no more, In majesty He still 
           shall reign, Who was, who is, who will for aye In 
           endless glory still remain.

     Alone is He, beyond compare, Without division or ally; 
           Without initial date or end, Omnipotent He rules on 
           high.

     He is my God and Savior too, To whom I turn in sorrow's 
           hour--My banner proud, my refuge sure--Who hears and 
           answers with His power.

     Then in His hand myself I lay, And trusting, sleep; and wake 
           with cheer; My soul and body are His care; The Lord 
           doth guard, I have no fear!

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that my following 
statement appear in the Record as if read contemporaneous with 
consideration of the resolution honoring the life of Diane Wolf.
  The Senate was deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Diane. Her 
passion for art and philanthropy lead her to devote her considerable 
talents to the service of countless organizations and causes. Diane was 
an attorney, teacher, and civic leader. Much of her work was dedicated 
to the preservation of the very building in which we meet.
  My wife, Catherine, and I worked closely with Diane on her efforts to 
preserve and restore the U.S. Capitol. Diane was passionate about the 
Capitol's history and symbolism. She enjoyed the pomp and circumstance 
of the Presidential inauguration and the annual tradition of the 
President's State of the Union Address. Her contributions as a member 
of the board of trustees of the U.S. Senate Preservation Commission 
were invaluable. It was her support and guidance that led to the 
development of the commemorative coins which marked the bicentennial of 
the U.S. Capitol.
  President Reagan appointed Diane to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts 
in 1985. Her father, Erving, says Diane considered that appointment as 
a full-time job. Diane demanded high quality in all endeavors. She 
believed a thing worth doing is worth doing well.
  During her tenure on the Commission she strongly advocated 
redesigning our coins to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Bill 
of Rights and update the Presidential portraits. She believed that 
American coinage could recapture our imagination and become highly 
prized by collectors. This is just one example of how Diane used her 
creativity, intelligence, and boundless energy to promote art in 
America.
  Her vision has been realized in recent years, as the Mint produced 
new designs for the quarter with images representing each of the 50 
States.
  Diane's energy and passion for public service will be missed. The 
institutions she served and the lives she touched benefited greatly 
from her dedication, generosity, and lively spirit.
  Catherine and I are fortunate to know Diane's wonderful family. She 
cherished her relationships with her parents, Erving and Joyce, and her 
brothers Daniel and Matthew. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and 
their loved ones.

                          ____________________