[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise with great sadness today to honor 
my friend and our colleague Senator Dianne Feinstein. She was a pioneer 
and a strong and dignified leader.
  Dianne, who was the longest serving woman in Senate history, had a 
career marked by many firsts: the first woman to serve as mayor of San 
Francisco, the first woman Senator to represent California, the first 
woman to serve as the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and 
the first woman to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  Dianne was such a strong presence in the Senate. She was a determined 
and tenacious advocate. Many of us worked closely with her on the 
Intelligence Committee, where she was such an excellent chairman. She 
was always fair, respectful, informed, and strong. We worked together 
on the Appropriations Committee as well, where she chaired the Energy 
and Water Subcommittee. Many of us were her allies on the Violence 
Against Women Act and the Respect for Marriage Act.
  The Senate and the country have lost a model Senator--elegant, 
graceful, kind, compassionate, strong, informed, intelligent.
  I have also lost a dear friend. I put up this watercolor painting 
that Dianne did and gave me so many years ago. It has hung in my office 
ever since, and it will have a place of honor there always. Every time 
I would pass by, I would look at it and think about how talented Dianne 
was in so many different areas. I treasure this painting.
  When I became engaged 11 years ago, it was Dianne who sponsored a 
reception for me and my now-husband Tom Daffron in her home in 
Washington. My story is very similar to that of the Republican leader.
  I was also reminded when I heard Senator Murray talk about Dianne's 
generosity. At one point one year, she bought seersucker suits for 
every woman who was serving in the Senate so that we could all 
participate in Seersucker Thursday. That was Dianne. She paid attention 
to the smallest details and to the largest issues that affected not 
only our country but the world.

  Most of all, Dianne was such a role model for girls and women. She 
was a role model for us who came to the Senate, after she began her 
storied tenure here. I will miss Dianne terribly. My heart goes out to 
her family, and may she rest in peace.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority whip.

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