[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4802-S4803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN

  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, before I begin, I also want to 
acknowledge others who are here in the Chamber to be part of this 
tribute, part of this moment--the first of many over the coming days 
and weeks, no doubt.
  Senator Schumer acknowledged Speaker Pelosi, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, 
and Katherine in the Gallery here. We do have a good amount of the 
California congressional delegation here as well paying their 
respects--the dean, Representative Lofgren, and so many friends from 
the north to the south to the east and the west of the Golden State. Up 
in the Gallery also is Team Feinstein, so many of the staff members who 
make sure the office is always performing at peak capacity, just the 
way Dianne insisted. I know that personally, and I will tell you why in 
a minute.
  But I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say that it is with 
profound sadness that we bid farewell to my dear friend, colleague, and 
outright champion for the State of California, Senator Dianne 
Feinstein.
  As we have been hearing today, she was a towering figure. Let me be 
clear. She was a towering figure not just in modern California history 
but in the history of our State and our Nation. Yes, she broke barriers 
throughout her career. You heard about that from Leader Schumer, how 
many firsts. Her leadership, though, as the city of San Francisco's 
first female mayor in the aftermath of the tragic assassination of 
Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk showcases her unique 
ability to lead with grace and strength in the face of adversity. And 
it wouldn't be her last time.
  Following her election to the Senate more than three decades ago, 
Dianne's commitment to bipartisan collaboration made her a deeply 
respected figure on both sides of the aisle. So my heart is full to 
hear the words of Senator Collins and Senator Murkowski and others.
  She understood the importance of working together to find common 
ground and to get things done for California, for the country, and most 
importantly, for the American people. Her ability to bridge divides and 
find that consensus, especially on the thorniest of issues, was a 
testament to her dedication to the principles of our democracy and the 
many attributes you are hearing about her today. That is the one I have 
admired most and have worked my damnedest to try to emulate throughout 
my career and especially here in the Senate.
  Now, long before being able to serve together here in the Senate, 
Dianne gave me one of my first jobs in politics in her Los Angeles 
office at a time early in my career when I was looking to make a 
difference for my community and for our State. It is in part thanks to 
her groundbreaking career that a Latino son of immigrants could one day 
not just work for her but work alongside her to keep up the fight for 
the American dream.
  As we mourn Senator Feinstein's passing, we must also celebrate her 
incredible legacy, her contributions to our Nation--from gun safety and 
environmental conservation to national security and healthcare reform 
and so much more--just as a reminder not just of the power of her 
example but the power of public service.
  For Californians, so much of our public lands have been preserved 
thanks to her singular drive and leadership--from the redwoods of the 
Headwaters and the San Francisco Bay to Lake Tahoe, to the Southern 
California desert.
  We can go on and on, but it is clearly--clearly--a tremendous impact 
she has had. She leaves behind a legacy of service, of leadership, and 
a deep love of our country and our democratic ideals. Senators have 
mentioned her grace, how she worked, how she carried herself--an 
example for us to follow.
  I would be remiss if I didn't say there was an exception to that, and 
that is if you were one of her staff members who came into a meeting 
with her unprepared. You did not want to not have the answer to her 
question.
  She was classy, absolutely. We won't get into the debate about the 
dress code. As Senator Murray said, she was absolutely generous. Now, I 
did not receive a seersucker suit. I was not here at the time. But for 
the decades of the relationship that we had, every time I came to 
Washington, I made it a point to reach out--at a minimum, a call; a lot 
of times, a quick meeting in her office--and I always came away with 
something. More often than not, it was a book. She has quite a library, 
her collection. Once upon a time, it was a Senate tie. There was always 
something.
  I, too, Senator Collins, have a watercolor. It is hanging at home in 
Los Angeles--my wife's favorite--so I don't have it here to display. 
What I do have, though, is a photo, as she said, from ``back in the 
day'' that she sent me just a year ago--periodically going through her 
files, her archives--a picture from the San Francisco AIDS walk in 1987 
but personalized--no autopen here; a personal note from Senator 
Feinstein.
  The last story I will share, which I do think is unique. Another 
example of her generosity is the day I was sworn in to the Senate in 
2021 under the most trying of circumstances: COVID prevaccine; 2 weeks 
after January 6; 40,000 National Guard women and men on the perimeter 
of a fenced-off Capitol Complex. She honored me by escorting me down 
the center aisle to the rostrum and stood behind me as I was sworn in. 
Big day for me. Tough day not having Angela and my boys by my side.
  As soon as the votes were over, the session was over, she grabbed me 
by the hand and said: Come with me. I am not sorry to say I had 
interviews lined up. We marched right past reporters to her hideaway.

[[Page S4803]]

  She immediately wanted to continue the dialogue of, How can I help 
you? How can I help you? I mustered up a little bit of courage and 
said: Dianne, I love you, but I want to call my wife. I have just been 
sworn in to the Senate.
  So I called my wife. Angela answers. We immediately started 
FaceTiming each other. We were by the window so we could make sure the 
signal doesn't drop. And my boys were there. Dianne says: Give me the 
phone. I have just been sworn in to the U.S. Senate, and I am watching 
Senator Feinstein FaceTime with my kids. ``So proud of your dad. When 
are you coming to Washington? I will buy you lunch.''

  That was Dianne Feinstein. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy 
continue to inspire us all.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.

                          ____________________