George Firestone

George Firestone ( born May 13, 1931 in New York City; † March 2, 2012 in Hollywood, California ) was an American entrepreneur and politician of the Democratic Party, who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate of Florida as a member and between in 1978 and 1987 as Secretary of State, the third most important function held in the government of this U.S. state.

Life

Firestone spent his early years in New York City and then in 1936 moved to Miami, where his mother worked as a waitress in a restaurant and he accompanied her to work with his parents. After schooling he performed until 1952 his military service as a cook in the U.S. Army. After he returned to Miami and opened a security guard and a cleaning business there.

1966 Firestone was first elected as a candidate of the Democratic Party as a member of the House of Representatives from Florida and represented in this until 1972, the interests of the constituency Miami -Dade County before to 1978 he was a member of the Senate of Florida in connection.

In 1978 he became Secretary of State of Florida and assumed so by the governors Reubin Askew and Bob Graham, as well as the lieutenant governor a the third most important function in the government of the state. During his tenure championed in particular by promoting free trade zones for a strengthening of foreign trade. In addition, he was involved in this function of art and culture of the state. After Firestone had resigned from disappointment over the development of the policy, was Bruce Smathers 1987 successor as Secretary of State. For his long-standing commitment to him the Nova Southeastern University awarded an honorary doctorate.

Following, he worked for the investment company Smith Barney before he founded the management consulting company Tecton. This he set out internationally and made for numerous business trips to Australia, China and Russia.

Firestone died in an assisted living facility in Hollywood from the effects of Alzheimer 's disease.