A memorial service will be held in Bethesda, Md., this weekend to celebrate the life of Joint Taxation Committee staffer Tracy Nadel, who died last month after a battle with renal cell carcinoma. [IMGCAP(1)]

Nadel, a 10-year veteran of the panel, held a bachelor’s in psychology from Ithaca College, a master’s in special education from Columbia University Teacher’s College, a law degree from American University and a master’s of law in taxation from Georgetown University. She was hired as a committee staff librarian and eventually moved up to director of legislative resources.

“She was a loyal and dedicated employee who was willing to help with anything that was needed to get our work done,” said Mary Schmitt, deputy chief of staff for the committee.

Nadel, a single mother, is survived by her adopted daughter, Jennie.

The service will be held at the home of Nadel friend Leslie Taylor. For directions call (301) 229-8037. The family asks that gifts in memory of Nadel be made to Tracy’s Toy Box Memorial Fund at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Here’s a Quarter. The House approved legislation Wednesday to create a commemorative quarter-dollar coin program for the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) along with Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and the five Delegates, would require quarter-dollar coins issued in 2009 to bear designs “emblematic” of the District and five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“Perhaps putting the territories on quarters is more important than states in some ways,” Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) said on the House floor Wednesday.

Under the 50 State Quarters Program, the U.S. Mint releases a new state coin every 10 weeks through the program’s completion in 2008. The House has twice passed similar legislation. No companion bill currently exists in the Senate.

— John McArdle and Jennifer Yachnin