[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF CELEBRATING THE SERVICE OF MR. GREGORY M. DIAMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Gregory M. 
Diamond, a dear friend and colleague who had served for over 10 
distinguished years as my District Director in the First Congressional 
District of Colorado.
  Greg grew up in Denver as the son of Greek and Canadian immigrants. 
Both of his parents worked extremely hard to establish themselves in 
the United States instilling within Greg a tireless work ethic, an 
acumen for equality, an exceptional attention to detail, and a sharp 
mind for finance, politics, and sympathy for the human condition.
  Greg's leadership abilities shined through early when he was elected 
Head Boy at Denver East High School. Greg moved on to attend the 
University of Denver earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy 
during the turbulent 1960's. This era of frustration with the Vietnam 
War and society's status quo inspired Greg to become involved in the 
University's anti-war and civil rights movements, imbedding a desire 
for social justice and fairness and the pursuit of public policies to 
benefit all people throughout his working life.
  Greg earned a Masters of Science in Judicial Administration at the 
University of Denver College of Law and worked for a few years in the 
Wayne County Court System in Detroit, Michigan.
  When his father became ill, Greg returned to Colorado to work in the 
family restaurant in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. In 1988, 
Greg became greatly inspired by the presidential campaign of Michael 
Dukakis and joined the Colorado Coordinated Campaign. In addition to 
sharing Greek heritage with Governor Dukakis, Greg admired his 
practical yet inclusive style of governing and fiscal policies.
  Dukakis' loss was a disappointing blow for Greg, but he had caught 
the political bug. He moved on to manage a U.S. Senate primary, and 
worked in senior capacities on various other presidential, 
congressional, state, local and referenda campaigns, including the bond 
election to build Denver International Airport, where he met his future 
wife Faye, to whom he has been married for 16 years.
  In 1991, Greg began his career in public policy, serving in former 
Governor Roy Romer's cabinet in the Office of Energy Conservation, then 
four years as the Deputy State Treasurer under former Colorado State 
Treasurer Gail Schoettler. He finished up his years in the Governors 
Office of Economic Development as a Science and Technology Advisor.
  Greg is unique individual and a tower in Denver and Colorado politics 
in a District with a multitude of strong political personalities. In a 
city defined by a history of rough-and-tumble politics and a varied 
electorate, with their own political desires, Greg has managed to fly 
above the fray gaining the respect, admiration, and trust of the 
diverse constituencies of the First Congressional District.
  Greg has the enviable ability to actively listen to constituents 
concerns and to frame their arguments and the political realities in 
ways only a seasoned political mind and public policy analyst could. 
Greg will long be remembered for his extensive briefings and memos for 
District meetings which were exhaustively researched and supplied with 
extensive supporting materials. In any meeting I attended with Greg, I 
was confident I was well briefed and any issue or argument would be at 
my fingertips. Greg is also an eloquent writer, penning many of our 
offices tributes and speeches.
  There is also no doubt Greg was extremely popular in Colorado 
politics and in the broader Denver community. Any meeting or reception 
I would attend with Greg, constituents, business, and political leaders 
would joke with Greg and regale me bout some past shared experience. 
Greg would always return the favor with his hearty infectious laughter 
filling the room.
  Greg is fondly regarded by his District Office staff, many of whom he 
hired. The high retention rate in my District Office is a great tribute 
to Greg who treated his employees with respect, compassion, and a sense 
of humor which often kept the staff on their toes. Greg related well to 
young and older employee alike, always interested in what everyone had 
to say, encouraging staff for good deeds done, but also willing to 
guide staffers back in line when they went astray.
  Greg leaves my office in the height of his career, rising with me as 
a first term Representative to the Dean of the Colorado Congressional 
Delegation. I am deeply indebted to him for his service, guidance, and 
enduring commitment to the residents of the First Congressional 
District of Colorado.
  At the end of the day, there is one main reason we come to serve in 
this body: to help the people we represent and to improve their 
communities and livelihoods to the best of our abilities. It is with 
the assistance of such exceptional staff members as Greg Diamond that 
we are able to achieve these goals. There are thousands of Coloradans 
and residents of Denver, Englewood, Sheridan, and Cherry Hills Village 
whose lives have been touched by Greg's dedication and service.
  I ask you and our colleagues to join me as I thank Greg for his 10 
years of service to the First District, express my gratitude for his 
long friendship and congratulate him as he enters a new phase of his 
public service.

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