[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 72 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E530-E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE STAN FURMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREG STANTON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2019

  Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, today I want to recognize the Honorable 
Stan Furman who passed away on April 1, 2019 at the age of 87 in 
Phoenix, Arizona.
  The two-term Arizona State Senator was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 
1932 and experienced a humble, often difficult upbringing. He lost both 
his parents before he turned 10 years old and spent his formative years 
in the Vista Del Mar orphanage in Los Angeles.
  This experience shaped him, contributing to his strong beliefs in 
justice and equal rights. It formed Stan's social conscience as he 
developed a profound need to stand up for those who couldn't stand up 
for themselves. That

[[Page E531]]

time also instilled his deep love and appreciation of his family and 
friends--people he never took for granted.
  From 1952 to 1956, Stan served our country in the U.S. Air Force 
which took him to Japan during the Korean War. After an honorable 
discharge, Stan moved to Mexico City where he earned a degree in 
business and foreign trade from Mexico City College. His time in Mexico 
would forever change the course of his life.
  It was there that he met Gloria, his soulmate and wife of 58 years. 
They married in Mexico City in 1960 and moved back to California where 
Stan worked for a fabric wholesaler. Their three children were born in 
California.
  In 1969, the Furman family moved to Phoenix where Stan opened and 
managed a new branch for the fabric company. After some years in 
Arizona, Gloria entered local politics as a volunteer, which inspired 
Stan to get involved-and ultimately led to him running for public 
office himself.
  Stan was elected to the Arizona State Senate and served two terms 
from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure, Stan focused on the issues that 
were instilled in him early on: civil rights, criminal justice, 
education. He served with compassion and dignity, always motivated by 
doing the right thing. He advocated for the 1992 referendum to make 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a paid state holiday in Arizona--an 
accomplishment that made him incredibly proud. And between his 
lawmaking, he found time to volunteer, and encouraged his colleagues in 
the legislature to volunteer at a local elementary school, too.
  After leaving elected office, Stan's passion for service never 
wavered. He served on many Arizona boards and commissions and worked 
for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Following many years of 
extensive work with the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, Stan served as 
the President of ACLU Arizona from 2002 to 2006 and was honored to be 
named Arizona Civil Libertarian of the Year in 1995. He also served for 
several years on the National ACLU Board of Directors. It was no 
surprise, when in 1998; Stan was named `` Mediator of the Year'' by the 
Phoenix Community Mediation Program.
  In his personal life, Stan was a man of many passions. He was an avid 
tennis player and golfer, quick-witted and a natural joke teller. He 
loved crossword puzzles and all word games. He enjoyed playing board 
games and online games with his children and grandchildren. He loved 
going to the beach while enjoying time at the family's vacation home in 
Rocky Point, Mexico. But those close to Stan knew that his work brought 
him as much joy as any of his hobbies. Stan Furman is survived by his 
wife and love of his life, Gloria, his daughters Diane (Randy) and 
Susan, his son Phil (Deb), his grandsons Spencer, Dylan, Nate, 
Harrison, Alex (Jessi), Hugo and Oscar, and his great-granddaughter 
Cheyanne.
  Stan had a life well lived and will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________