[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, you know how we always refer to each 
other as ``my friend'' from whatever State it is. Honestly, frequently, 
that is not true.
  But Elaine and I were actual friends of Dick and Dianne. Elaine 
served on a corporate board with Dick for a number of years. When they 
were in town together, we would frequently have dinner together.
  Elaine and I got married shortly after the 1992 election, and I 
remembered that Dianne gave us a small depiction of the Capitol. I 
looked at it this morning because it is still on the wall and 
remembered our dear colleague as a truly remarkable individual.
  As the majority leader has pointed out, she was an incredibly 
effective person at every line, at level, and she was at all of those 
levels on the way to the Senate.
  Those of us who were fortunate to call Dianne our colleague can say 
we served alongside the longest serving female Senator in American 
history.
  Dianne was a trailblazer in her beloved home State of California, and 
our entire Nation is better for her dogged advocacy and diligent 
service.
  Over the past three decades, the senior Senator from California was 
also the steady hand leading sensitive and consequential work as head 
of the Intelligence Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Her name 
became synonymous with advocacy for women and with issues from water 
infrastructure to counterdrug efforts.
  Of course, as the first woman to lead her hometown board of 
supervisors and then govern as mayor, she was making history and making 
a difference long before she came to the Senate.
  And as much as this institution and the American people will remember 
Dianne's devoted public service, as I indicated earlier, Elaine and I 
will also remember and cherish the friendship of 30 years we were 
fortunate to share with Dianne and Dick.
  So, today, I know the entire Senate family is gathering around 
Senator Feinstein's loyal staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
Dianne's daughter Katherine, her granddaughter Eileen, the entire 
Feinstein family, and with all who mourn our dear colleague and friend.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, before I yield to the President pro 
tempore, I would like to acknowledge Dianne's daughter Katherine with 
Speaker Pelosi in the Gallery.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The President pro tempore.

                          ____________________