[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MARION SANDLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear 
friend, Marion Sandler. A great American, philanthropist, and Democrat; 
Mrs. Sandler passed away at her home on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the age 
of 81. She is survived by her devoted husband of 51 years, Herb 
Sandler, their two children and two grandchildren. Marion's life 
exemplified the American dream; working hard, breaking down barriers 
and climbing the corporate ladder to success, earning the distinction 
as the first and longest serving woman chief executive officer in the 
United States. Mrs. Sandler and her husband would use their 
accomplishments to advance philanthropic causes and promote democracy. 
The Sandlers have made a commitment to the Giving Pledge, a charity 
where the participants pledge to give away the majority of their wealth 
to philanthropy.
  Marion was born on October 17, 1930 in Biddleford, Maine, to 
immigrant parents whom ran a hardware store. She graduated from 
Wellesley College; and pursued her business interest at the Harvard-
Radcliffe business administration program before earning an MBA from 
New York University. In 1955, Marion landed a job with Dominick & 
Dominick as their first female executive. She would stay on Wall Street 
for several more years before meeting her husband, Herb Sandler, and 
heading west, to San Francisco in 1961. I first met the Sandlers in 
1963. When they offered to buy my Beacon Savings and Loan in Antioch, 
CA. Together, Marion and Herb purchased Golden West Savings and Loan. 
Starting with just two branches and twenty-six employees, the company 
eventually grew to 11,000 employees and 285 branches. I should have 
developed a partnership with them when I had the chance.
  In the late 1980's the couple began seeking out philanthropic causes 
to support. Their search was methodical and they were adamant that 
whatever organization they supported was properly run and managed by 
people who would keep it that way. When they weren't satisfied with 
their options, they created their own non-profits. The Sandlers co-
founded the American Asthma Foundation, the Center for American 
Progress, Center for Responsible Lending, ProPublica, and the Sandler 
Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Disease. They also generously 
contributed to organizations involved in medical research, the 
environmental protection, human rights, and civil liberties through the 
Sandler Foundation.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in remembering Marion Sandler who 
has contributed so much to helping others through her philanthropy. 
Hers is a story of breaking down barriers and achieving success in a 
male dominated industry as well as living up to a high standard of 
excellence. Mrs. Sandler was a wonderful woman with enormous compassion 
for those in need. She will be missed.

                          ____________________