[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HOWARD BEAVER

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, it is with regret and deep sadness that I 
rise to honor Howard Beaver, a resident of Tucson, AZ, who passed away 
on October 3, 2005. For over 27 years he sold or rented thousands of 
musical instruments to Tucson children. I myself bought my first 
harmonica at his store. He was a pillar of Tucson society, an 
impassioned musician, beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
  Howard Beaver was born in Beaver, AR, and raised in Odessa, TX. He 
moved to Tucson in 1949 for his freshman year at the University of 
Arizona, where he received his bachelor's degree in music. He later 
went on to earn a master's degree from Northern Arizona University.
  Howard opened Beaver's Band Box in 1964, a music store where he 
rented and sold instruments as well as provided music lessons. In 1991 
he sold the store to his son, Dan, who then proceeded to open a second 
Beaver's Band Box.
  He was a very dynamic member of the Tucson music community; in 1966 
he founded Beaver's Tucson Concert Band, was influential in the 
beginning of the UA alumni band and was active in many community bands.
  Howard's life was filled with music and family, two things that were 
very important to him. His love of music began early in life, with his 
first Trombone in seventh or eighth grade, though he would later know 
how to play them all. The other love of his life was family. He is 
survived by his wife Liz, five children (Dan, Heidi, Carl, Krista, and 
Erica) and 15 grandchildren.

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