Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fourth Legislature First Regular Session 2019

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1027

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

on the death of the honorable stan furman.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

The Honorable Stan Furman passed away on Monday, April 1, 2019 at the age of eighty-seven in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on March 16, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, Stan Furman was a socially conscious family man, a patriot and veteran of the United States Air Force, a voracious reader and wordsmith, and a staunch fighter for the oppressed—a trait he demonstrated not only through his words but through a lifetime of actions.

Stan Furman served two terms in the Arizona State Senate from 1991 to 1995, serving on the Judiciary, Education, Appropriations and Government committees.  During his tenure, he led with compassion and dignity, fearless of resistance in order to stand for what he felt was right.  Senator Furman crafted, sponsored and was instrumental in passing legislation supporting his ideals in criminal justice and lobbyist reform as well as education.  He pushed for and helped establish the 1992 referendum to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a paid state holiday.  This was a personal favorite accomplishment of his and he was most proud to have worked with colleagues to achieve this goal.  Never one to rest on his laurels, Senator Furman also initiated the Capitol Legislators as Volunteers to Education program (CLAVE), whose mission was to encourage legislators to participate in a wide variety of volunteer activities at Capitol Elementary School.

After leaving the Senate, Senator Furman continued to remain active within his community.  He served on numerous charitable and civic boards and worked extensively with the Arizona Civil Liberties Union.  It came as no surprise when he was named Arizona Civil Libertarian of the Year in 1995 and Mediator of the Year by the Phoenix Community Mediation Program in 1998.  His experience and expertise and his leadership and longtime participation with the Arizona ACLU led to his presidency of the state affiliate, a post he held from 2000 to 2006.  He later served on the organization's National Board of Directors and remained active in the cause.

Albert Einstein said, "All I have is a sense of duty toward all people and an attachment to those with whom I have become intimate."  A true adherent of this credence, Senator Furman was an advocate, a leader and a champion for civil rights and education.  His profound impact on individuals, groups and the community at large benefitted and continues to benefit the State of Arizona.

Following a European vacation in the 1970s, Stan and his wife, Gloria, began a successful translation business.  This business and their love of travel allowed them the flexibility and opportunity to see the world.  They explored different cultures and countries, including Italy, Spain, China and Mexico. These trips typically included family and friends.  Although many consider Senator Furman's professional work to also be his hobby, he very much enjoyed challenging his mind with word puzzles and playing Boggle with his children and grandchildren.  He was an avid reader and shared his love of words and knowledge with his family.  He stayed active playing tennis until he retired from the game on his eightieth birthday and continued to play golf until a year before his death.

Stan Furman left a lasting impact on each person he met.  His caring nature knew no bounds, and anyone who walked in his door was greeted with kindness, warmth and humor.  Dedicated to his family, 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.  He will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends and the citizens of Arizona.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature sincerely regret the passing of Stan Furman and extend their deepest sympathies to his surviving family members.