Garamendi Family Issue Statement on the Passing of Friend and Colleague Senator Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Feinstein with John and Patti Garamendi on a whistle stop tour up the Valley in California.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Patti Garamendi, and their family issued the following statement on the passing of longtime friend and colleague Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“Today, the entire Garamendi family mourns the loss of our dear friend, Senator Dianne Feinstein. Dianne was the most accomplished Senator in California history and a hero for so many across California and the nation.
“Dianne championed women’s rights, both in policy and her storied career: first as a member and first female president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, then as the first female mayor of San Francisco, and finally as a United States Senator, where she tirelessly served Californians for 31 years.
“Dianne was always a trailblazer. She was an inspiration to our daughters and women across the country. It was an honor and a privilege to work hand-in-hand with her every step of the way. We miss her and will always see her in every Tahoe sunset. We pray for all that loved and appreciated her dedication to issues that matter.
“Every Californian, and indeed everyone in our country, benefited from Dianne’s tireless work and determination to solve problems. While Dianne is no longer with us, her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. She will be dearly missed as a colleague, leader, and friend.”
“As Mayor of San Francisco, she championed historic gun safety legislation, instituted game-changing economic and social policies for the city, and signed the first rent control policy in San Francisco’s history into law. She took her courage and tenacity with her to the U.S. Senate, where I worked with her to enact the federal assault weapons ban of 1994 into law. Dianne showed up to work every day with one goal: to advance civil rights to create a more just and equitable society. Without a doubt, her dedication to this goal advanced the democratic ideals of our country and inspired the next generation of women and girls to step into leadership.
“Among her many accomplishments, Dianne led the successful effort to protect our forests, Lake Tahoe, the California Desert, our Pacific coastline, and our water. Together with her beloved husband, Richard Blum, she brought federal support to the University of California and California State University systems. She was a tireless advocate for conserving California's public lands for future generations to enjoy. During her tenure in the Senate, she was responsible for conserving more than 21 million acres across the state, singlehandedly getting California 70 percent of the way toward President Biden's National Conservation Goal of 30 percent conserved by 2030. That is more than 20 percent of our state's total landmass conserved thanks to her leadership over 30 years.
“Once again, our entire family mourns the loss of our hero, colleague, and friend, Senator Dianne Feinstein.”
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