[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8005-S8006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF JULIE DAMMANN

  Mr. BOND. Madam President, I have a very sad message to bring to the 
body today. It is with great sadness that I report that we have lost 
one of our own, Julie Dammann, who lost her brave 11-year battle with 
cancer.
  All of you who knew Julie knew of her superior abilities, high 
spirit, and unshakably impervious character in the face of adversity. 
As she was struggling with this disease and going off for weekend 
treatment on Friday, with a bright smile, she always insisted, when 
asked, that she was ``doing great.'' Her life was far too short, but 
few on Earth live a life as fully as she did.
  Julie was a rural kid from Minnesota and graduated from the 
University of Minnesota. She worked for Rudy Boschwitz before I was 
fortunate enough to hire her in 1987. Most recently, she went to work 
as a senior vice president with Ogilvy Government Relations.
  But in 1987, after joining my staff as legislative director, she met 
Rolf Dammann at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who was 
apparently interested in more than her highly regarded legislative 
acumen. Rolf's newfound interest in budget and appropriations issues 
eventually paid off, and they were married--after the 1988 election, of 
course.
  They both enjoyed politics, history, golf, German beer, and their two 
lovely daughters Monika and Paula. Throughout her battle with cancer, 
they were always by her side.
  Within any successful enterprise, there is the heart of the 
operation. In the case of Julie, she was the heart, the legs, the mind, 
the backbone, and the can-do spirit of my staff. For me, from the first 
time she walked into my office, she was also my friend.
  Remarkably, from that first day through 24 congressional sessions, 
three reelections, marriage, motherhood, and her bravely defiant fight 
against cancer, she never stopped. She never rested. F. Scott 
Fitzgerald once said, ``Action is character.'' In that case, Julie was 
character. Now, some who dealt with her would say ``character'' is 
probably an understatement.
  Her ability to multitask was legendary. During her time as chief of 
staff, she could simultaneously talk with me, listen to C-SPAN, 
BlackBerry instructions to her staff, check out statistics of the 
previous Vikings game, and evaluate the potential draft picks 9 months 
in advance--not only for the Vikings, but she learned to do the same 
for the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Rams. We tried to keep up, 
but it was hard.
  The fact that she was able to stay in my employ after the Twins-
Cardinals World Series of 1987--an epic tragedy for Cardinal fans--
speaks volumes to her otherwise high value.
  There is seldom enough recognition of the high-caliber people who 
staff us in the Congress and the government. Julie was exceptional 
among the exceptional. From 1987 to 2005 while on my staff she was a 
perfectly reliable source of sound judgment, energy, cheer, and 
friendship.
  She knew the budget, the whip count, the box scores, the news 
ratings, the third down conversion rate, the poll numbers, the economic 
report, the schedule, the process, the players, the politicians, as 
well as every competing argument. But mostly she knew and loved people. 
She was the ideal public servant.
  Our sincere condolences go to Julie's husband Rolf and their 
daughters Monika and Paula. The girls will carry on with the richest of 
all inheritances: having their mother's genes and love and guidance to 
remember. Julie could not have been in more diligent, loving hands than 
those of her husband Rolf. We thank him for taking such special care of 
her. We have lost a special friend, but now we are blessed with a 
special angel.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have a copy of her 
obituary from the Washington Post printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       Julie Ann Dammann, age 51, passed away on November 13, 
     2010, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in 
     Roseville, MN, on May 23, 1959, to Mrs. Ervina and the late 
     Dr. Paul Hasbargen. After celebrating their wedding 
     anniversary on November 12, Julie is survived by her loving 
     husband of 22 years, Rolf and their daughters, Monika (15) 
     and Paula (13) of Arlington, VA; as well as her sister Linda 
     Bazille, and husband, Brad, of Emerald, WI; mother-in-law, 
     Leslie Morton of Gainesville, VA; and her father-in-law Rolf 
     Dammann Sr. of Nashua, NH. Julie attended Alexander Ramsey 
     High School in Roseville, MN (1977), and then became a proud 
     Golden Gopher and graduate of the University of Minnesota 
     (1980), where she was an Economics and Political Science 
     major. After graduating, Julie commenced a long career in 
     service to the country she loved. Her career in the United 
     States Senate began as a Legislative Assistant to Sen. Rudy 
     Boschwitz (R-MN). Twenty-five years later, she retired from 
     the U.S. Senate as the Chief of Staff to Sen. Christopher S. 
     ``Kit'' Bond (R-MO), after serving on his staff since

[[Page S8006]]

     1987. Throughout her career, Julie played a role in the 
     passage of major pieces of legislation including: The Federal 
     Highway Reauthorization Bills of 1992, 1998 and 2005; the 
     1987 Farm Credit Act; the 1991 Clean Air Act Amendments; the 
     1992 Family Medical Leave Act; and the 2002 Help America Vote 
     Act. In 2005, after retiring from the U.S. Senate, Julie 
     joined Ogilvy Government Relations as a Senior Vice 
     President, where she continued her work on various 
     transportation and appropriations issues. Throughout her 
     life, Julie was an accomplished athlete, including playing on 
     the University of Minnesota basketball team. Her lifelong 
     love of sports continued into her adult life as an avid 
     golfer and a formidable soccer player. She was a long-time 
     fan of all Minnesota sports, especially the Vikings and the 
     Minnesota Twins, having attended multiple games during the 
     1987 World Series. Julie's focus on family and work was only 
     equaled by the intensity with which she followed her 
     Minnesota teams, remembering every play from every game. The 
     passion with which Julie lived her life will be sadly missed 
     by all who knew and loved her. The family will receive guests 
     on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 10 a.m. until the time of 
     service at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1801 
     Russell Road, Alexandria, VA with a private interment to 
     follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts 
     will be received for the ``Julie Dammann Family Education 
     Trust''. Donations may be sent to: Redmon, Peyton & Braswell, 
     L.L.P., 510 King Street, Suite 301, Alexandria, VA 22314.

  Mr. BOND. Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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