Transcripts For CSPAN Memorial 20240703

Feinstein. She passed away last week at the age of 90. Vice president harris, Chuck Schumer and nancy pelosi delivered tributes to the late senator. It was rendered as the longest she was a member and as the longestserving woman in u. S. History. Prior to her time in congress, she served as San Franciscos first woman mayor. From 19781988. We played at city hall, and at super bowl celebrations, we proudly wore our sweaters that she bought for us. And mayor feinstein always took the time to talk to us and tell us how amazing we were and to remind us that we were her band. I was born in the early 70s, so as a kid [jet flyovwe] thank you for bringing the blue angels to San Francisco in 1981. I was born in the early 70s, so as far as i could remember, as far as i ever know, Dianne Feinstein was the mayor. And for kids my age, we always excepted that a woman could be in charge and a woman could do whatever a man could do. We believed that and considered abnormal. My mothers generation did not have that. My grandmothers generation certainly did not. But millions of girls my age, and long after me, have grown blissfully free of the yokes that are grandmothers work, because Dianne Feinstein wrestled them off. Because she showed the way. She created a world where girls like me could be tough and lead. When i became mayor, and even before that when i was a member of the board of supervisors, senator feinstein was always there to offer guidance. A few years ago when i was president of the board of supervisors we had a large ceremony in the chambers and feinstein, as former mayor joint meet up on the dais. Its dignitary or past supervisor walked in, and she would whisper that supervisor so and so, he lives in west portal. Ask him about his gardening. Senator feinstein reached out to me before i could reach out to her. She talked about the hard decisions that need to be made and told me to focus on doing the right thing and what was necessary for the city. Senator feinstein was always focused on the nuts and bolts, the things that San Francisco needed. I valued her advice and i will miss her. It was her word that meant the most when i became the second woman to be mayor of this city in the wake of tragedy. It was her advice on how to heal and lead that gave me strength. But i dont know if she recognized that none of the things that she told me as an adult wherever as important as what she showed us as children. Through times of tragedy and triumph, Dianne Feinstein showed us the meaning of San Franciscos model. Gold and peas, iron and more. She showed us a world where women lead and lift each other up so that girls like me could follow in her footsteps. She showed us strength and grace and courage and collaboration. And like the old saying goals, you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Dianne feinstein did it right. She was her mayor, our champion, she was the leader of our band. And i know i speak for all san franciscans when i say that she will truly be missed. I would now like to introduce rabbi singer it. [applause] in our jewish tradition, we call senator feinstein [jet flyover] thats an american amen right there. We called her a woman of valor. As we mourn this loving mother, grandmother, friend, true woman of valor, let us be comforted by the words that we have in common , the words of the two third psalm. It reminds us how this senator, this amazing leader lived. She brought comfort to so many in this city as we faced some of our deepest challenges. She fear no evil as she courageously pursued justice as a leader in the senate. And she gave us hope that we americans can always be inspired by the values of democracy, even as we walk at times through the valley of the shadow of death. May we be comforted as we now saying those words in hebrew. I will now invite you to join me together, with my heart perhaps, in english. [singing in hebrew] going with me, god is my shepherd, i shall not want, god makes me lie down in Green Pastures and leads me beside the still waters. God restores my soul at guides me in straight paths for thy namesake. Gay, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou hast anointed my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life. And i shall dwell in the house of the lord forever. They are memory be her blessing, amen. As may her memory be her blessing, amen. Now we will hear remarks from the president of the United States. Joseph beau biden. Arbeit and. Within dianes soul laid the defining trait of great leaders, character. Over 15 years of the senate plus another decade in the vice presidency, and another presidency, again and again i sought her character in action close and personal. She was tough, prepared, rigorous and compassionate. She always asserted the people of california and our nation for the right reasons. To make life better for everyday people and ensure america stood for freedom, transparency and justice. At home and abroad. We had a front row seat to character her character on the judiciary committee. And throughout her church distinguished career, she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons and protect civil liberties, strengthen our national security, safeguard our environment and so much more. Often the only woman in the room, she would also mentor generations of women to a magic a bigger, more hopeful future for themselves and for the country and the world. On this date of remembrance, we reflect on the ways that such a pioneer made history. And built a legacy that will build on generations to come. That is not an exaggeration. At the same time, we reflect on the life of a kind and loyal friend. We hope that you find the strength that we find in the scripture, as is the mother, so is the daughter. To the rest of dianes family, we send our love and hope that you find comfort that life will be a reminder that the institutions of our democracy not only depend on the constitution that governs our nation which she swore an oath to uphold and defend, but it also depends on the constitution of our character, the people. And the habits of our heart and mind. Thank god that we had diane. She showed us the way by the power of her example. God bless that Great American hero, she was something else. And she was a dear friend. God bless Dianne Feinstein. [applause] now it is my honor to introduce the biden Vice President of the United States of america, kamala harris. [applause] thank you, mayor. To catherine, eileen, rick, and the entire family and to all distinguished guests gathered, it is my honor to be here with you today. Dianne feinstein was an icon of california. She was an american patriot, a giant of the senate, and a dear friend to doug and me. She was also a student of history. A gifted, and i will add, very generous artists. Many of us are collectors of dianes work. And a passionate leader. Sibley put, she was a force. To many of you, she was supervisor, mayor, senator. And then chairman. She was recognized around the world as a leader, a standardbearer, of america. And of american values. Yet of course, to catherine and eileen, she held perhaps the most important titles of all. Mother and grandmother. To catherine and eileen and rick and to the entire family, and doug, my prayers are with you. And i dont have to tell you [jet flyover] that it is not easy. It is not easy when a loved one lives in life of public service. Especially a person as hardworking and as selfless as Dianne Feinstein. So, to you, the family. We thank you for all the sacrifices that you have knowingly and unknowingly made. Over the years. Which allowed her to serve. On behalf of the people of the United States, we are grateful to you. As a Public Servant, diane had the courage to take on many tough fights. Even when she was faced with fierce opposition and political peril. And especially when her work was in defense of the constitution. And the security of the american people. Diane commanded respect and gave respect. She was a serious and gracious person who welcomed debate and discussion, but always required that it would be well informed and study. And i believe that this city where she started had a lot to do with that. To the uninitiated i will let , you in on a wellknown secret, San Francisco politics is roughandtumble. Some even say a bareknuckled sport. And this city requires its elected officials to engage on a daily basis in complex discussions with informed constituents who will raise the most intricate of local issues, no matter if you are walking through the presidio or attending an event at delancey street. And this environment, i do believe, guided diannes style of leadership, even after she reached the heights of national and global power. Dianne diligently focused on the impact to real people. Not ideology, substance, results, not rhetoric. When i was sworn into the senate in 2017, it was dianne who welcomed me. She invited me to her senate hideaway. There, with one hand, she presented me with a glass of california chardonnay, and with the other hand a binder full of her draft bills. True to her mayoral roots, she and was deeply immersed in the details of each bill and how each would play on the streets of our beloved state. Some of my fondest, recent memories of dianne are of our time together in a secure meeting room in the United States senate. Every week, members of the Senate Intelligence committee, would walk into that woodpaneled room, no cameras, no public, no devices. [jet flyover] senators of both parties who would take off their jackets and literally roll up their sleeves, putting aside partisanship to discuss what was in the best interest of our national security. There, we would resume classified materials and receive updates from the heads of the cia, our intelligence community, and the United States military. And got her. If one of them gave an evasive answer. Dianne would pause, lift up her memo, glanced knowingly at the others of us on the dais and question the witness in a way this former prosecutor always admired. In that room, there was give and take, debate, and problem solving. And that was quintessential of dianne at her best. So as i close, allow me to turn back the clock, 30 years, to tuesday november 3, 1992. I was a young prosecutor at the Alameda County district attorneys office. On that evening, i left my home in oakland, got in my toyota corolla, and drove across the bay bridge to the city. I pulled into the Fairmont Hotel and i walked up to a huge and pa packed ballroom. There on stage stood dianne and barbara boxer, hands raised in what the nation would name the the year of the woman. We celebrated an historic seat. We were the first state to elect two female senators. That night we celebrated dianne, who, the next day would take office as the first female senator ever for the great state of california. Fast forward to today, when i again travelled to the city to dianne, this time on washington dc from air force to. Dianne, the women of america have come a long way, our country has come a long way, and you helped move the ball forward and our nation salutes you, dianne. [applause] show less text [applause] please welcome the Senate Majority leader of the United States senate, charles schumer. Thank you mayor, Vice President harris, mayor breed, rabbi, cantor, all of diannes family, my many colleagues who have come here, and friends. There is a story of dianne that i thought was quintessentially her. Some of us might remember that years ago, senator feinstein injured her ankle while on a morning walk in lake tahoe. Most people might go see a doctor. Focused on recovery. But dianne, forget it. It was the week of the lake tahoe summit, a signature event of hers, one she inaugurated in 1997 with harry reid, convening leaders from california nevada, public sector, the private sector, all for a cause near and dear to her heart, preserving lake tahoe for future generations. Years later, she will look back on that morning and remember hearing a bone pop, but chose to finish her day before even thinking about treatment. It turns out it was a pretty significant fracture. Ask how she got through the day, she only offered three words, i just did. [laughter] now there are many adjectives that rightly describe Dianne Feinstein. Strong, unflappable, winning, fierce, practical, earnest. But one quality above all stands out in my mind and will forever set dianne apart. Integrity. Integrity. Dianne feinstein was a leader of uncommon integrity. She had an internal gyroscope that propelled her, motivated her, never let her stray from a cause she knew was right. I have to be unflappable right now. [laughter] when she embraced an issue, she pursued it until the end. No matter the consequences. No matter what others thought. Her integrity made her sparkle like a diamond in the senate. I was dazzled by that internal gyroscope for the first time in 1994, when i closely worked with dianne as the author of the house version of the assault weapon ban which dianne champion in the senate. She worked to the bell harder that bill harder than an anyone i have ever seen. Attacking every eggo, thinking of every pitfall, resisting every broadside from the nra, because she knew her cause to be just from her own experience. Thanks to her dedication, her unflappable to, or trademark integrity, american turned a new leaf leaf in the fight for gun safety. Working on the assault weapon ban was one of my proudest times in office. From that time on, i not only called dianne a colleague, but a close friend. And what a loving, caring friend she was. When my daughter first moved to San Francisco out of college, in september i got a call from dianne. She asked me, does your daughter have anywhere to go, with a High Holy Day Services . I said no. She said, well she is going to services with me. There were so many qualities of this amazingly multifaceted woman that i will miss. I will miss her ability to win doubters and detractors. There were many. Not by putting them down, but with her elegance, her poise, and her piercing wit. I will miss her sheer dedication and thoroughness. She was better prepared and better informed than just about anybody else. I cannot tell you how many times dianne would consider a topic and say, let me go home and read on it first. She would always come back, 40 with 40 or 50 or 60 questions the next day. I will miss diannes talent as one of the senates great dealmakers. If there was the smallest bit of Common Ground she would pursue it. If it meant moving an issue forward. Even while being so far ahead of her time on gun safety, marriage equality, womens rights, the environment, and so many other issues, she was never afraid of working with those she disagreed with whenever the opportunity arose. Dianne feinstein was the living embodiment of what the senate should always be. An institution built on cooperation. Finally, i will always be indebted to dianne not just as a colleague, but as a father of two daughters. Because of dianne, my daughters grew up in a world that is a bit fairer, a little more just, and more accepting of women in leadership. Speaking at stanfords commencement in 1993, dianne confessed that she never sought to be the first woman in this role or that role. What mattered most, she said, was to live life to the fullest and advised graduates to be able to accept challenge to take risks, but always protect your integrity and that is just what she did throughout her entire career. So today we grieve. Today we mourn immense loss for the senate, for california, for america. But we also give thanks. Thanks that someone so rarefied, so dedicated, and with a sparkling diamond like presence served our country so well for so many wonderful years. [applause] and now, i would like to read a statement from former congressman and chair of the California Democratic party john verdin. Our country, california, and my hometown of San Francisco has lost a great Public Servant put more important to me i have lost a friend of more than 50 years. She was a force to be reckoned with when it mattered most and she showed up for you when the chips were down. She saved San Francisco during its darkest hours and showed political courage during times when no one else did as a United States senator. She had chutzpah and i loved her for it. My heart goes out to her family, especially her daughter, catherine and her granddaughter eileen, rest and power my friend, from john, the former congressman and former chairman of the Democratic Party in california. [applause] now please join me in welcoming the San Francisco girls chorus. [applause] dream the impossible dream fight the unbeatable foe to bear the unbearable sorrow to run where the brave there not go to write the unbreakable wrong, to love. And chased from afar, to try when your arms are too weary, to reach the unreachable star. This is my quest to follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far to fight for the right without question or pause to be willing to march into a hell for a heavenly cause. And i know if ill only be true to this glorious quest, that my heart will lie peaceful and calm when i am late to my rest. And the world will be better for this that one man, scored and covered with scars still true with his last ounce of courage two reach the to reach the unreachable star. [applause] now, please join me in welcoming our speaker, america, the honorable nancy pelosi. [applause] good afternoon everyone. Dianne all your life you have challenged everyone to do our best. Now as we honor your leadership to celebrate your life and express our sorrow in your passing, living up to your standard is quite a challenge. However, we started with the president of the United States, having his plane carry you home. He loved you so much. He said, i only wish that i could have been on the plane taking her home. Draped in the american flag, your beautiful landing in the arms of the first responders, lifting you up, catherine, rick and eileen on saturday. Over the weekend your beloved 49ers and the great San Francisco giants pay tribute to paid tribute to other game. Yesterday, mayor breed received you triumphantly back in city hall where you will lie in state, and we were welcomed home by the people of San Francisco with music and song. Thousands of people came to pay their respects in lines down blocks all day long. Into the night, so that the family had to extend the time for people to pay their respects. And this week it was announced that the blue angels, the week would be dedicated to you. Fleet week. And now, listen to this. The blue angels will be piloting a missing woman formation, honoring Dianne Feinstein. [applause] she flew with them, imagine. People cry, teams cheering, ships sailing come blue angels flying, all honoring a woman so strategic and strong, a lady so gentle, a trailblazing model and a mentor of generosity and sweetness. Here they come again. While theyre coming, lets recognize the members of congress who are here, the house and the senate. Please stand, so that we can organize you all. Recognize you all. So many. [applause] thank you. You know from the most vulnerable in our midst, to the most powerful persons in the world, dianne regarded everyone with respect. Thank you, kathleen, excuse me, catherine, rick and eileen for sharing diane with us. We all smile when thinking of dianne going to her first civic engagement. With catherine in a stroller. And then, years later, its what dianne wants, that is what we get. And years later, with eileen, who diane called noodle in her arms. Catherine in the stroller and noodle in her arms, blue angels in the sky. Dianne grew strength from you, catherine, noodle and rick. We all drew strength from her. I hope it is a comfort to you that so many people mourn your loss and are praying for you at this sad time. Dianne they asked me to talk personally about dianne, us being neighbors, and politically in the same arena. She loved cultivating people and flowers. She cultivated relationships, bringing people together. Officially, personally, and romantically. You know that dianne was a matchmaker. Now some of you know that. You are here, jerry brown. [laughter] george, the list goes on. Last week my daughter nancy was toasting dianne and she said, thank you dianne for allowing us to be present in your happy place. Dianne considers her happy place where she challenged us all. This was at the beginning of last week. Little did we know. Dianne cultivated people. She was loyal to hundreds of commissioners, appointees and staff, many of whom are here today. Lets hear it from you, all of you. [applause] i have a tshirt that i want to show you. It says, many of you have warned have warned that shirt, i survived dianne staff meetings. Dianne cultivated flowers, she loved flowers, to grow them, to show them. To paint them and share them on drawings and on mugs. Anybody here have one of her mother . As neighbors, paul and i always knew because we could see from our window that she had the most fabulous hydrangeas. As neighbors and friends, dianne took pride in working together for california and for our values. I will always remember this one time in 2015, in the United States capital, dianne and i expressed our concern to president xi about the chinese governments abuses of the tibetans and disrespect for the dalai lama. When dianne spoke, people listened. People have asked me what is the best advice i ever received from dianne. Well, we have all gotten great advice, but the most constant advice i ever got from her, again and again, was, nancy, you dont always have to be the one going out on the attack. Let some other people do that from time to time. Why dont you do that . [laughter] madam Vice President , thank you so much for honoring us with your presence today and honoring dianne. You are a good friend. And, again, an official associate, its an honor that you are here. Leader schumer, you have spoken so beautifully about dianne, our senators accomplishments. Thank you, thank you for your beautiful remarks the morning of her passing and all that you have done since then to honor her memory. She has a lasting legacy, from the cable cars, the Breast Cancer stance, to the assault weapons ban, the list goes on and on. From the u. S. Capitol back to San Francisco, where Dianne Feinstein is our forever mayor. Forever mayor. She was such a commanding mayor for 10 powerful years that when her term was up and some people started to run for mayor, including some men, school driven schoolchildren were saying can eminem be mayor of San Francisco . A man be mayor of San Francisco . I guess. Madam mayor . [laughter] she left on her own terms. She was proud to confirm more than 145 140 biden judges. [applause] and she walked onto that floor last thursday, which would be her last day, she walked onto the floor and voted to advance legislation to keep the government open for the people. [applause] [jet flyover] this is just the beginning. All weekend, its dedicated to dianne. Flyovers all weekend. She would like it like that. The president began his beautiful tribute earlier in the program with a poem by emerson. I will end with a psalm suggested by nancy, the american anthem. Doesnt it sound like dianne. Let them say of me that i believed in sharing the blessings that i received. Let me know in my heart when my days are through that america, america, i did my best for you. [applause] Dianne Feinstein. Dianne, we know you did your best for america. May you rest in peace. Thank you. Thank you madam speaker. I told the blue angels, just two times, but now they are giving us more energy. We are excited and grateful for the senators legacy. We know they loved her as well. So, at this time i would like to welcome, for the final remarks of the day, senator Dianne Feinsteins granddaughter, eileen mariano. [applause] thank you, mayor breed. Thank you to everyone in the audience for making the journey out here today and for braving the heat. It is an honor to my grandmother. My grandmother would be will be remembered by those in San Francisco, california, and the United States for so many reasons. A number of which have already been mentioned today. For san franciscans, senator feinstein guided the city through tragedy, saved our beloved cable cars, created the iconic p or 39 pier 39 and fought for the Lgbtq Community during the height of the hiv aids epidemic. [applause] for californians, senator feinstein established joshua tree and death valley. [applause] reserved the Beautiful Lake tahoe. Modernized californias water system and protected californias deserts. [applause] for those across the country, senator feinstein will be remembered for banning assault weapons. [applause] creating lifesaving amber alerts and rooting out and banning torture. She will also be remembered across the country for shattering the glass ceiling. She showed young women everywhere that they, too, can be leaders. And that they can make it impact and that they deserve a seat at the table. But to me, she will be remembered as the most incredible grandmother. Minutes after i was born, at the hospital, she exclaimed to my mom and dad, oh wow, she looks just like me. [laughter] you should change her name to dianne. From then on, she and i were extremely close. We had an effortless connection. When i was a toddler, we could amuse ourselves for hours playing hide and seek. I would laugh and laugh when she would find me hiding. I would spend nights at my grandmothers house whenever she was home in San Francisco. She taught me how to play chess, even though she hated losing. We would pick flowers from her garden and draw them together. Although, only her drawings were worth making into print. She would give me haircuts at home in the kitchen, much to my parents dismay, because my hair always turned out crooked. She loved teaching about San Franciscos history. Why there are bricks instead of asphalt on some of our citys steepest hills, what it used to look like before the fire, and the best places in the city to view the bay. At the end of the day, we would curl up, both on the couch, and watch a movie, or our favorite tv show. When it was time to go to sleep, she would say good night and she would always sing me the song you are my sunshine. My grandmother was my biggest cheerleader. She was an unwavering support system. She never failed to tell me how proud she was of me. I could bring to her any worry or fear and she always had a good solution. She was a constant and unyielding source of love. As i got older, she started sharing more of her infinite wisdom. She taught me lessons i will carry with me forever. Work to your long suit, she would say. Do something you can do for your entire life, something that energizes you, something that inspires you, and something that makes the world a better place for the people who live in it. Boy, did my grandmother do that. Earn your spurs, she said. You have to work hard, put in the hours, and work your way up. My grandmother did that too. It does not matter how many times you lose, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going, no matter what. That, and she would also say to me, if you ever go out of town, no matter where you are going, it doesnt matter if you are going to a city or the desert, or a beach, or the mountains, always pack a black pantsuit. [laughter] there is no occasion to which you cant wear a black pantsuit. So, to my grandmother, i promise to always work to my long suit, to earn my spurs, to keep going no matter what, and to never forget my black pantsuit. Your family loves you. We are so proud of you. We miss you and you will always, always be my sunshine. [applause] thank you, eileen, thank you catherine, thank you to the entire family, so many of the staff, colleagues, in the senate, people who have come far and wide, thank you to all of San Francisco for your love and support of senator feinstein and her family at this time. Her legacy will continue to live on in everything we do to continue to lead the city and to lead this country. This has been an extraordinary service. We appreciate, especially our Vice President for being here to represent our country, to demonstrate the importance of what senator feinstein means, not just a San Francisco and california, but the entire country. Its so meaningful to be here with each and every one of you, so many elected leaders and legends, and people who help lead the city for many generations. You are all in our hearts and prayers, as we continue to mourn senator feinstein. But she will always be remembered in so many corners of the city and in so many corners of the state, and in corners of the country. At this time, we would like to welcome back the girls chorus for a final song in honor of our great senator Dianne Feinstein. Thank you. [applause] it only takes a tiny corner of this great big world to make a place you love my hope home upon the hill i find i love you still ive been away, but now im back to tell you San Francisco open your golden gate, you let no stranger wait outside your door San Francisco here is your one during one saying ill wander no more other places only make me love you best tell me your the heart of all the golden west the golden west San Francisco welcome me home again im coming home to go roaming no more. San francisco, open your golden gate you let no stranger wait outside your door San Francisco here is your wondering one saying i will wander no more. Other places only make me love you best tell me youre the heart of all the golden west the golden west San Francisco welcome me home again im coming home to go roaming no more. Other places only make me love you tell me youre the one in all the golden west San Francisco, im coming home again never to roam again, im coming home again [cheers and applause] thank you again, everyone and thank you for joining us. We really appreciate you being here on behalf of senator Dianne Feinsteins family. We want to thank you all for joining us here today. [applause] cspans washington journal. Our live forum involving you to discuss the latest issues in government, latinx and public policy. From washington and across the country. Coming up friday morning, we will look at the removal of Kevin Mccarthy as speaker of the house and what the political followup means for the functioning of congress with a former new York Democratic congressman, and a forme tennessee republican, man. Then an economic correspondent for the Washington Post discusses the september jobs report and the state of the u. S. Economy. Cspans washington journal. Join the conversation live at 7 00 turn on friday morning on cspan, cspan now, or online at cspan. Org. Friday, a discussion on the indictments of former president trump, and the u. S. Justice system. Will hear from three former Justice Department officials. Listed by the heritage foundation. Live coverage begins at 11 a. M. Eastern on cspan. You can also watch an hour free mobile video at, cspan now, or online at cs. Org cspan. Org. A democracy doesnt just look like this. It looks like this, where americans can see democracy at work. And citizens are truly informed. Our republic thrives. Get informed straight from the source, on cspan. Unfiltered, unbiased, wordforword. From the nations capitol to wherever you are. Because the opinion that matters the most is your own. This is what democracy looks like. Cspan. Powered by cable. Commerce secretary Gina Raimondo and National Science Foundation Director testify on investments from the chips and science act before the Senate Commerce, science and transportation committee. Topics included critical mineral supply chains, the manufacturing of semiconductor chips, workforce shortages and Rural Broadband access. The hearing runs two hours. Two hours and 40 minutes. [bangs gavel] good afternoon. The Senate Commerce committee will come to order. I thank my colleagues, many have been in this room for many hours already today doing double duty on both an aviation hearing, and now, a very imrt