[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E12]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ELIZABETH FINN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREG STANTON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 2025

  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Judge Elizabeth ``Ellie'' Finn, who passed away on December 27, 
2024, following a long battle with ovarian cancer. For over four 
decades, Ellie served with distinction on Arizona's municipal benches, 
dedicating her career to building a more equitable and compassionate 
justice system, particularly for survivors of domestic violence and 
those impacted by mental illness.
  Born in 1947 in New Haven, Connecticut, Ellie moved to Arizona as a 
young girl. Her parents, Herbert B. Finn and Ruth G. Finn, instilled a 
deep commitment to public service and justice in Ellie and her sister, 
Alice Finn, from a young age. She shared 56 years of love and 
partnership with her husband, Edward Turner. Together, they raised two 
children, Jesse and Sarah, nurturing the same sense of social 
responsibility that guided Ellie's own life.
  Ellie earned her law degree from Arizona State University in 1972, 
before joining her parents and forming Arizona's first majority-female 
law firm, Finn, Finn, & Finn. In 1979, Ellie was appointed to the 
Phoenix Municipal Court, making her one of the youngest judges in 
Arizona After retiring from Phoenix in 2002, she became the presiding 
judge of the Glendale City Court--a position held for nearly two 
decades.
  Throughout Ellie's tenure in law, she brought a renewed focus to 
issues previously overlooked in the judicial system. She championed 
specialized courts, including those addressing domestic violence, 
mental health, and homelessness, ensuring that Arizona's municipalities 
take a holistic approach to justice. She never lost sight of the human 
dimension of her work, molding a style of jurisprudence that takes into 
account people's lived experiences and reflects her passion for 
building a justice system that better serves all Arizonans. Her 
principles, composure, and leadership garnered local and national 
recognition, including honors from the American Bar Association, the 
State Bar of Arizona, and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and 
Domestic Violence.
  Ellie's life embodied the principle of using one's gifts and passions 
to uplift the community. Her trailblazing spirit, advocacy for domestic 
violence survivors, and enduring impact on Arizona's courts will 
continue to guide our pursuit of justice in the years to come. We honor 
her memory, extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved 
ones, and remember her unwavering commitment to serving those most in 
need.
  I thank Ellie and Godspeed.

                          ____________________