Bill Text: AZ HCR2002 | 2014 | Fifty-first Legislature 2nd Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Death resolution; Ben Miranda
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2014-01-15 - Transmitted to Secretary Of State [HCR2002 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2014-HCR2002-Enrolled.html
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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-first Legislature Second Regular Session 2014
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2002 |
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
on the death of former Representative Ben Miranda.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Former Representative Benjamin (Ben) R. Miranda passed away on November 15, 2013 at the age of sixty-four.
Born in Texas into a large migrant farm family, Ben Miranda spent his formative years traveling across the country, harvesting crops, attending single-room schools and living in camps with up to five thousand immigrant farm workers. By the time Ben Miranda turned ten years of age, he had attended more than fifteen different elementary schools.
Eventually, Ben Miranda's family decided to settle in Arizona, first in Gila Bend and then in Phoenix, where they humbly lived in the Marcos de Niza Housing Project. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School, Ben Miranda admirably served in the Vietnam War. His heroism in battle prompted the late Senator Barry Goldwater to award him with a Bronze Star, one of the country's top military decorations for bravery, heroism and meritorious service. Having long dreamed of one day obtaining a college education, Ben Miranda decided to use his GI Bill to pay for his studies at Phoenix College and Arizona State University. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he went on to earn a juris doctorate from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Ben Miranda quickly proved to be a talented and trusted personal injury attorney, making it his goal to ensure that his clients were treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Throughout the course of his career he had many high profile clients, including activist Cesar Chavez and Ernesto Miranda from the landmark case Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
With his election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2002, Ben Miranda embarked on a remarkable record of public service and he ably served his constituents in this capacity until 2010, at which time his wife, Catherine, was elected to the same seat. Ben entered office at the same time as his brother, Richard, and together they were the first brothers to serve as state-level office holders. Altogether, the Mirandas have served a total of twenty-five years in the Legislature. During his tenure as a legislator, Ben was selected to be the chairman of the Arizona Latino Caucus several times. In 2007, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators presented Ben Miranda with the John S. Martinez Leadership award, an honor given annually to a Hispanic legislator who exhibits outstanding achievements, passion and dedication in his or her political career.
Despite the demands of his political and professional endeavors, Ben Miranda gave freely of his time, energy and expertise to numerous civic and community organizations. He served on the governing boards of the Maricopa County Community College District, the Roosevelt Elementary School District and the Phoenix Union High School District. He also served on the boards of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, the American Red Cross and Valle de Sol. Dedicated to helping immigrant workers and low-income individuals get fair and equal treatment under the law, Ben Miranda served as a United Farm Workers Attorney, hosted a weekly television program on legal issues and donated many hours of free legal advice to the community. He established Proyecto Manzana, an organization with the mission of promoting citizenship for its participants, advocating for human and legal rights and encouraging participation in education and civil matters. Dedicated to improving education, he donated more than a million dollars to schools, community organizations and charities. Additionally, both he and his wife, Representative Catherine Miranda, cofounded and developed the Manzana Foundation, an organization that assists students in preparing for college. In 1994, his legacy of public service was recognized when he received the City of Phoenix's first annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" award.
In all of Ben Miranda's endeavors, he distinguished himself as a loyal, astute and conscientious public servant. He was dedicated to the highest ideals of American jurisprudence, and his integrity and fairness earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him. His record of humble service to his nation, state and community is an example for all to follow.
Dedicated to his family, Ben Miranda is survived by his wife, Representative Catherine Miranda, his two daughters and his five grandchildren.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
That the Members of the Legislature sincerely regret the passing of former Representative Ben Miranda and extend their deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE JANUARY 13, 2014.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE SENATE JANUARY 14, 2014.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JANUARY 15, 2014.
