[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.
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