[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 113 (Wednesday, September 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING STANFORD NEWMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Stanford 
Newman, a man who transformed the Tampa Bay community and the cigar 
industry during his more than 70 years as head of the J.C. Newman Cigar 
Co., based in Ybor City.
  Son of a Hungarian immigrant, Stanford worked in the family business 
alongside his father, and then his two sons, and built J.C. Newman 
Cigar Co. into one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of 
cigars. The company, which owns Cuesta-Rey and Diamond Crown Cigars, is 
recognized by cigar aficionados across the globe.
  Even at 90 years old, Stanford continued to go to work 5 days a week, 
serving as chairman of the company. During his tenure, Stanford 
successfully guided his company through tremendous changes in the cigar 
industry, most notably, the Cuban embargo, which forced Newman to 
abandon the use of the Cuban tobacco leaf in their cigars. Not only did 
Stanford rise to meet this and many other challenges, but he went on to 
see his business flourish in the 1970s, when his Cuesta-Rey #95 cigar 
became the largest selling premium cigar in the nation.
  Stanford's leadership did not stop at the company doors. He served as 
President of the Cigar Manufacturers Association of Tampa for more than 
20 years and Board member of the Cigar Association of America for more 
than 56 years. His success and contributions earned him the 2001 Ernst 
and Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year title and induction into the 
Cigar Aficionado's Hall of Fame.
  Fortunately for the people of Tampa Bay, Stanford was not just a 
cornerstone of the cigar industry--he was a cornerstone of our 
community as well. Stanford dedicated his time, talent, and money to 
improving this community in countless ways.
  He served as board member of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Second 
National Bank of Tampa. Stanford was a member of the board of trustees 
at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, a longtime member of Tampa's Rotary 
Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was one of the founders of the Ybor 
City State Museum, treasurer of the Berkeley Preparatory School and 
president of the Dad's Club. In addition, Stanford served as longtime 
director of the Latin America Fiesta and was a member of the Ye Mystic 
Krewe of Gasparilla, as well as a number of Tampa's social 
organizations.
  It is particularly fitting that Stanford continues to serve his 
fellow man in death as he did in his long, rich life. Stanford donated 
his liver to a transplant patient upon his passing.
  Mr. Speaker, Stanford Newman was an icon in the cigar industry and in 
Tampa Bay. His contributions to our community's economy and culture 
will leave a lasting impression. On behalf of the entire Tampa Bay 
community, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

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