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I am proud to say that I was born and raised in Colorado's Fourth Congressional District, and it continues to be my home today.
I was born to Harry and Mary Matsunaka on November 12, 1953 in Akron, Colorado, and grew up in Fort Morgan—another small town on Colorado's eastern plains.
Today I make my home in Loveland, near Rocky Mountain National Park. I am still in touch with many boyhood friends from Fort Morgan.
One of the formative experiences of my youth was talking with my dad, who is a decorated veteran of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated American fighting unit for its size in American history.
Their motto was "Go for Broke," a slang term that means to give everything you have to your cause. Their cause during World War II was to protect America and to prove the loyalty of Japanese Americans.
They succeeded on both counts. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, along with the 100th Infantry Battalion (separate), earned the distinction of being the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in battle in U.S. military history. Like many of the courageous World War II generation, my dad refers to those years in a quiet, dignified way, and prefers to be judged by his actions, not his words.
Student Days
I grew up playing football and baseball, helping out at church, and participating with my father in many civic activities, including Boy Scouts and as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. Although my mother passed away when I was eleven, I still remember her taking time to help out anyone in need in our community.
In my senior year at Fort Morgan High School, my classmates elected me to be their student body president. I attended Colorado State University, where I received a B.S. degree in Biology. After completing one year of the MBA program at CSU, I enrolled in the University of San Diego Law School, and received my law degree in 1979.
Work and Community Service
I am licensed to practice in all Colorado courts, and have been honored to receive awards such as the outstanding Young Lawyer for Larimer County in 1985. At the same time, I have heeded my parents' call to serve the community by serving as a volunteer, member, or director at groups such as Loveland Day Care Center, our local Hospice, the Japanese American Citizen's League, the Colorado Asian Bar Association, and the Loveland Sertoma, which named me Sertoman of the Year in 1983.
Among the other awards I have been honored to receive over the years are the Colorado Asian Bar Association's Minoru Yasui Award (2001), Colorado Trial Lawyers Legislative Award (2001), Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry Legislator of the Year Award (1998), BOCES Legislator of the Year (1999), Colorado Association of School Boards Legislative Excellence Award (1995), Colorado Bankers Rookie of the Year Award (1995), Optometric Association Advocate for Visual Welfare (2000), Council of State Governments Toll Fellow (1995), Colorado Bar Association Real Estate Section Certificate of Appreciation, and the Catholic Charities Certificate of Appreciation for years of support (2001).
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1971 Ft. Morgan High senior photos of me and fellow student Kathy Weber, now Mrs. Matsunaka |
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Church and Family
Although committed to freedom of religion for all people, I am a devoted Christian, and have served as an elder and deacon of Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Loveland. I have been married to my wife Kathy—another Colorado native and a registered nurse—for over 25 years, and we have been blessed with three children: Melissa, Brian, and Kristi.
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Me with my wife Kathy and our children Melissa, Brian, and Kristi
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Like most Coloradans, I closely follow the Avalanche, Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies, and also enjoy both a round of golf and a pick-up game of basketball. As a committed father, however, much of my sports time over the last decade has been spent as a coach for my children's sports teams at both the club level and the high school level.
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Stan, Bill Kaufman and others watch as Gov. Romer signs bill for Estes Park/Loveland |
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Service as a State Senator
In 1994, I decided it was time to give back to Colorado some of the good things it had given to me and my family. I was concerned about uncontrolled growth, inadequate support for public education, and other issues that were affecting my community, so I decided to run against a Republican incumbent for a seat in the Colorado Senate.
With the help of many volunteers, I won that first race, 52% to 47%, and have had the privilege of serving as District 15's State Senator in the seven years since then. Service on the Senate's Education, Business Affairs, and Local Government committees has given me an inside view of the issues facing Coloradans all across the Fourth Congressional District—which overlaps with my state senate district.
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I've introduced bills that called for growth to pay its own way, and to address gridlock, public safety, and clean water.
For my efforts, I was cited as Legislator of the Year by groups as diverse as the Colorado Association of School Boards, the Colorado Banker's Association, and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.
When the Democrats assumed control of the Senate in 2000, my colleagues asked me to serve as the first Democratic President of the Senate in 38 years. My role as Senate President has been challenging, but with the help of my Senate colleagues, we've shaped a Democratic agenda that addresses the key issues of education, transportation, and responsible growth.
Running for Congress
I have been urged by my family and friends here in Colorado to "go for broke" and take the positive, responsible, family-oriented agenda I first learned in the small towns of Colorado's eastern plains all the way to Congress. For the sake of my children, and the future of my neighbors from Larimer to Otero to Sedgwick to Baca, I accept the challenge.
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Stan's Fans
Gail Westhoff, who grew up with Stan and wife Kathy in Fort Morgan, shares her memories of "the real Stan." more
Join Stan's Team
Find out how you can spread the word about Stan's campaign. You are the margin of victory in 2002! more
Education First!
We need innovative tools, not just simplistic rules, to meet the needs of our schools. more
Rural Health
Coloradans in both big cities and rural areas deserve access to top-quality health care. Stan has a plan. more
Stan the Coach
Find out more about Stan—his Colorado boyhood, his volunteer work, his travels across the state as a sports coach for each of his three children. more
Lessons from My Dad
Integrity, hard work, and
standing up for what is right. more
Protecting
Social Security
Stan stands by his three-point plan to ensure that Social Security offers steady and reliable support to our seniors more
Strong Support for Stan
Despite difficult economic times, Stan raises over $250,000, including many small 4th CD donations more
Poll Shows Virtual Tie
After voters hear positive profiles of both candidates, Matsunaka leads Musgrave, 46% to 44%. more
Salazar Endorses Stan
Atty. Gen. Ken Salazar announces "I endorse Stan because his history is rooted in the plains of Colorado." more
Getting the Job Done
Working together, Matsunaka and Owens created a common sense bi-partisan transportation plan." more
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