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Heard on the Hill

Capitol Lens | The Goodall life

The famed British primatologist made multiple appearances on Capitol Hill

Dr. Jane Goodall speaks during an event in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 2, 2007, to bring attention to the plight of Africa’s rainforests.
Dr. Jane Goodall speaks during an event in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 2, 2007, to bring attention to the plight of Africa’s rainforests. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
By Chris Hale
Posted October 2, 2025 at 1:21pm

British primatologist Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, died Wednesday at the age of 91. She died while on a speaking tour in California.

“Jane Goodall redefined our understanding of the world around us and taught us the powerful difference one person can make,” former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement on Wednesday. 

“Her passing touches the hearts of countless millions of people of every generation on every continent,” Sen. Peter Welch also said in a statement on Wednesday. “She was an extraordinary role model for young people of all nationalities and inspired many to seek careers in scientific discovery,” the Vermont Democrat continued.

Goodall, best known for her pioneering research on chimpanzees, made occasional trips to Washington and Capitol Hill to speak about issues related to her work and the environment. Here are a few photos from Roll Call’s archives from some of her appearances.

Goodall signs a copy of her book for one of the young people who turned out for a lecture on health and environmental issues in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in February 2002. (Mark F. Sypher/CQ Roll Call)
Goodall speaks at a news conference in April 2005 with conservation groups including The Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation and the National Audubon Society. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call)
Goodall is pictured during the February 2002 event in the Dirksen Building. (Mark F. Sypher/CQ Roll Call)

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