[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 15 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S491-S492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DESIGNATING DIANE K. SKVARLA AS CURATOR EMERITUS

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to S. Res. 338 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 338) designating Diane K. Skvarla as 
     Curator Emeritus of the United States Senate.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.

[[Page S492]]

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today we honor the hard work and 
accomplishments of Ms. Diane Skvarla, who is retiring after 20 years of 
service as the Senate curator.
  In the 27 years that I have served Nevadans in the Senate, I have 
never lost my appreciation for the rich history, works of fine art, and 
craftsmanship along the halls of the Senate. The Capitol and Senate 
office buildings are treasures and symbols of our democracy.
  An enduring institution, the Senate is passed down from generation to 
generation as Senators and visitors come and go. Just as we have a 
responsibility to preserve the traditions and history of the Senate, we 
also have a responsibility to preserve the buildings and furnishings. 
Former majority leader Mike Mansfield understood the need to conserve 
these adornments of American democracy and advocated for the creation 
of the U.S. Senate Commission on Art and the Office of Senate Curator 
to fulfill this objective. Curators usually oversee museums and private 
collections. The Senate, on the other hand, is a working building. 
Maintaining a balance between conservation and the considerations of 
working life for Members and staff is a unique task. In her role as 
Senate curator, Diane has worked fiercely to successfully strike this 
balance every day.
  Diane began working for the curator's office in 1979 as a staff 
member following graduation from Colgate University. After she earned 
her master's degree in museum studies from George Washington University 
in 1987, Diane took on more responsibility, including work on the 
Senate's bicentennial celebration in 1989. After a short break from the 
office, Diane was asked to return in 1994 as the curator to follow Jim 
Ketchum.
  Throughout her tenure as curator, Diane has remained a steadfast 
advocate for the preservation of the Senate. Diane worked to publish 
the Catalogue of Fine Art and Catalogue of Graphic Art, both 
comprehensively documenting the decorative treasures of the Senate. 
Diane also worked to acquire the large portrait of Henry Clay that was 
previously unknown and now hangs in the Brumidi Corridor just off of 
the Senate floor. In addition, Diane spearheaded restoration efforts of 
the Old Senate Chamber in 2011-2012 and ongoing restoration and 
research in the Brumidi Corridor. She has been instrumental in the 
forthcoming publication of a book detailing the discoveries of the 
Brumidi Corridor in the Senate.
  Among her many achievements are projects close to my heart. Diane 
worked hard to discover, catalogue, and restore articles of historic 
furniture such as the Russell barrel-back chairs and rosewood writing 
desk now used in my office. She also managed the restoration of a 
portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart that hangs in the 
entrance to my office.
  Managing the working considerations of the Senate can be a challenge, 
especially following recent emergencies such as September 11 and the 
anthrax attacks in 2001. Following the terrorist attacks on New York 
City and the Pentagon new emergency measures and plans were implemented 
throughout the Federal Government. Diane has been instrumental in 
developing emergency disaster plans for the Senate's artistic and 
cultural artifacts. Creating and rehearsing evacuation plans for staff, 
producing protocols for handling artwork, and coordinating with first-
responder agencies to ensure safe access and communication following 
disasters and emergencies, Diane leaves the Senate more prepared than 
ever.
  I join my colleagues in thanking Diane for her hard work and extend 
congratulations on her well-earned retirement. I wish her the best in 
all of her future endeavors.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made 
and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 338) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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