By Mauricio Patino
On the morning of Friday, Sept. 29th news broke of the death of California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein was the oldest member, 90 years old, of the United States Senate, and she was elected in 1992.
Feinstein first became well known in the Fall of 1978 when tragedy struck in San Francisco. After Dan White a member of the Board of Supervisors assassinated board of Supervisors member Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Dianne Feinstein, then president of the city's Board of Supervisors assumed the position of Mayor of San Francisco. Feinstein then ran unsuccessfully for Governor of California in 1990. Yet, that did not stop her as she then served in the Senate for over three decades and became the longest-serving woman senator in history.
Feinstein championed many issues, such as gun safety, reproductive rights, the environment, and much more. Notably, one of her biggest accomplishments was leading the charge in passing the Assault Weapons Act of 1994, which was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton.
It’s also worth noting that she was the first woman to have many key roles in the Senate, such as the first woman to serve on the Judiciary Committee, to Chair the Intelligence Committee, and Chair of the Rules Committee.
Her death brought lots of emotions to many people including President Joe Biden, Former President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. President Biden remembered Feinstein as a “ role model for so many Americans.” Former President Obama expressed that she will always be remembered “as a trailblazer.” Senate Majority Leader Schumer expressed that Feinstein “didn’t just push down doors that were closed for women, she held open them for generations of women after her to follow.” Senate Minority Leader McConnell said that “her beloved home state of California and our entire nation are better for her dogged advocacy and diligent service.”
All who loved Feinstein will forever remember her as a woman who served her country in her own right.
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