[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DIANNE BEECHER

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to commend Dianne Beecher who 
has honorably served the people of Pennsylvania for over 28 years, most 
recently as senior constituent advocate for my Senate office. Dianne 
has been a trusted member of my staff and a loyal friend over the 11 
years we have worked together.
  Before her years in public service, Dianne had already proven herself 
to be a kind of ``Renaissance woman.'' She dabbled in entrepreneurship, 
worked as an entertainment promoter, and spent a period of time as a 
race car driver. While creating this unique resume, Dianne's most 
important and dearest role was that of a devoted mother to five 
children--Sharryl, Aileen, Jodi, Bradley, and Brandee. Carrying her 
compassion for people into her professional life, Dianne found her 
niche in the pursuit of helping others. She began her career in public 
service with the Democratic State Committee for Pennsylvania as its 
political director, eventually joining the Pennsylvania chapter of the 
AFL-CIO, serving as its political education coordinator.
  Dianne originally joined my staff in the auditor general's office in 
2004; when I became State treasurer, she moved with me. In that office, 
she assisted in creating one of the first constituent services 
operations within the treasury department. When I was later elected to 
the U.S. Senate, Dianne continued her dedication to the people of 
Pennsylvania as the senior constituent advocate on my constituent 
services team.
  Early in my first term as a U.S. Senator, Dianne became a vital 
component in the establishment of my office's constituent services 
operation. Through her role as senior constituent advocate, Dianne has 
literally saved the lives of countless Pennsylvanians. Over the years, 
she managed hundreds of cases, specializing in Social Security and 
Medicare, while maintaining a genuine and unfailing commitment to each 
constituent she encountered. Dianne has saved the health insurance 
coverage for individuals suffering from serious illnesses, allowing 
them to continue care and maintain their medications.
  She is responsible for the financial stability of countless people 
unable to work due to their medical conditions. In one instance, 
Dianne's work was recognized by National Public Radio when she saved a 
family in the midst of the 2008 housing crisis by helping them finally 
receive retroactive benefits due from Social Security. Most constituent 
services work goes unacknowledged by the press; however, Dianne's 
commitment and compassion remains the same for every case in her 
portfolio. She works meticulously and regularly goes beyond the call of 
duty to provide the resources and support needed for the people of the 
Commonwealth.
  Throughout her career, Dianne has served the people of Pennsylvania 
with distinction and diligence. Her compassion and commitment to 
helping others left a lasting impression not only within my office, but 
in the lives she touched through her good work. I wish her well in her 
retirement and hope she will have the opportunity to enjoy more time 
with her children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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