[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO JANET PARKER BECK

                                 ______


                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Janet Parker 
Beck--an award-winning journalist for the San Mateo Times, book author, 
devoted mother, and caring wife--who passed away last month after an 
11-week battle with cancer. Having been a friend and admirer of Ms. 
Beck for many years, I know that her untimely death at the young age of 
41 is a tremendous loss for her family, the San Mateo County community, 
and our country.
  Ms. Beck was born and raised in San Mateo and began her journalism 
career at Crestmoor High School in San Bruno. After graduating from 
college--having served as editor for student publications at Skyline 
Community College and San Jose State University--she was hired by the 
Times. During her career at the newspaper, Ms. Beck covered medical 
issues and legal affairs, including a dozen death-penalty cases and 
more than 40 murder trials. Her writing was widely respected by both 
the subjects of her stories and her readers for its intellectual 
contents, integrity, compassion, and ability to convey complex 
situations in a simple manner. She also used her writing talents to 
author the book, ``Too good to Be True: The Story of Denise Redlick's 
Murder,'' which sold 70,000 copies.
  Ms. Beck earned over 50 awards for her journalistic achievements. 
Among the many accolades she received, Ms. Beck was named the 
California Press Women's Communicator of Achievement for 1994 and the 
National Federation of Press Women's first-runner-up for Communicator 
of Achievement for 1994. She also received the National Federation of 
Press Women's first place news writing award in 1986, 1987, and 1988. 
It was with a great source of pride that her award-filled career was 
capped off by being chosen to take her well earned place in the San 
Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
  In addition to her considerable professional accomplishments, Ms. 
Beck took tremendous pleasure from her family, especially her husband 
of 16 years, Jim, and their five-year-old daughter, Mandy. Her desk was 
a well-known gallery for her daughter Mandy's artwork and photographs, 
while Jim was her constant companion since they met at a YMCA dance in 
1970.
  Mr. Speaker, Janet Parker Beck was one of the most remarkable 
individuals I have ever had the privilege to know and work with. Her 
passing is a great loss for her family and our community. I ask my 
colleagues to join me at this time in paying tribute to her and the 
life of purpose she led, and extend our deepest of sympathies to Jim 
and Mandy, to her colleagues and to her community. She made us a better 
people with her all-too-brief 41 years of life.


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