[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1419-E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN MEMORIAM--HON. CAROLYN S. ALLEN, 1937-2016

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KYRSTEN SINEMA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Arizona State Senator Carolyn Allen. Carolyn was born in Missouri but 
quickly grew to love Arizona in the warmer winter months with her 
husband, Jack. Carolyn became active in our community and was soon 
serving on local boards and commissions in the arts and in politics.
  Prior to her first election to the AZ House of Representatives in 
1994, she was Development Director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 
and the Scottsdale Cultural Council. She served as Executive Director 
(and later President of the Board) of the Scottsdale Arts Center 
Association.
  While serving 8 years in the AZ House, she was House Majority Leader 
as well as Chairman of the Health Committee and sponsored

[[Page E1420]]

major legislation in mental health care, air quality and civil rights 
issues. She was later elected to the Arizona State Senate and there 
too, she chaired multiple committees. She often said she was most proud 
of passing legislation protecting the McDowell Mountain Preserve and 
her courageous ``no'' vote on controversial immigration legislation in 
2010.
  I had the honor of serving with Carolyn in the Legislature and I 
always admired her tenacity, honesty and integrity. She was the kind of 
public servant I aspire to be.
  While serving in the Legislature, she also served numerous community 
organizations through board membership and volunteerism. There are too 
many to list them all, but Carolyn's passions benefitted medical 
research, women's health, environmental conservation, and prison 
reform.
  Carolyn lived a brightly colored and productive life and gave so much 
to her community through thousands of volunteer hours for causes she 
championed. Despite suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis for 
more than 40 years, she soldiered on without complaint and set the bar 
very high for those who will follow. Her many friends will not forget 
her vibrant personality and determination. I miss my friend Carolyn 
Allen, but I am grateful that we were friends.

                          ____________________