[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING BURNEY STARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2015

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize a leader in Tucson's 
community who dedicated his life to serve others.
  Mr. Starks was a 1969 graduate of Pueblo High School, a proud Pueblo 
Warrior. In 1974 he graduated with honors from the University of 
Arizona where he also played football for the Wildcats. He then earned 
a Master's degree from Troy University. He was also known for his 
skills as an actor and singer. He appeared onstage in productions such 
as ``Driving Miss Daisy'' and ``Look Ma, We're Dancing,'' as well as 
many others. Mr. Starks also sang with the True Devotion Motown Revue.
  Mr. Starks was a U.S. Army veteran. He went on active duty as an Army 
officer and had tours of duty in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and South 
Korea. Following his initial active duty tour he returned to Tucson 
where he hosted a TV talk show called ``Looking Black'' and worked for 
Tucson Unified School District. He returned to active duty in 1981 and 
retired from the military service in 1996 at the rank of Major. After 
leaving active duty he worked for the Tucson Urban League and returned 
to Tucson Unified School District. Mr. Burney Starks was known as the 
long time educator at Pueblo High School, a school counselor 
specializing in dropout prevention. He instilled in the minds of those 
who didn't believe in themselves that they could accomplish anything 
they set their minds to, that nothing was out of reach as long as they 
wanted it enough and were willing to work towards it. Mr. Starks was 
also known for the many community activities he was a part of and in 
some cases was the driving force for. Burney served on the boards of 
the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, the Dunbar Coalition, the America 
Israel Friendship League, the Southern Arizona Academic Decathlon, the 
Pueblo Warrior Alumni Foundation and as President of the Board of the 
Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee. He also served as Lieutenant 
Governor for Kiwanis International where he had been a member for 35 
years; He was past commander in the Military Order of the World Wars 
and past president in the Reserve Officers Association.
  He is survived by his wife Ruth M. Starks, 5 children Benjamin S., 
Burnes O. III, Elizabeth M., Bryan M., and Rebekah R.
  Burney has 9 siblings: Gary E., Daryl D., Terry L., Charles G., Donna 
R., Harry J., Jacqueline B., Larry D., and Timothy B.
  Burney Starks has left a legacy which he will be remembered for and 
honored for years to come.

                          ____________________