[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BARBARA BLADEN

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 16, 1995

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending 
Barbara Bladen, who retired from the San Mateo Times on December 11, 
1994, after 39 years as an exemplary critic and writer. Her instinct 
throughout the years has led to a long and distinguished career in the 
San Francisco Bay area. In reading her reviews I have always admired 
her insight and eloquence. She has devoted the past 39 years to opening 
the door to the world of performing arts to many bay area residents.
  Barbara, who is well-versed in the performing arts, had planned to 
make her career as a participant of the arts rather than as critic of 
them. She is schooled in tap, ballet, classical and jazz piano, 
modeling, and acting. She had planned to study acting in New York when 
she married the late painter-sculptor Ronald Bladen. After their move 
to San Carlos, she began acting locally with the Hillbarn Theater.
  Shortly thereafter, she began her long and distinguished career with 
the San Mateo Times. She started off as the newspaper's librarian and 
worked her way up to arts critic, for which she was paid $7.50 for each 
review. From there she moved into the women's department, and began 
writing a daily ``Lively Arts'' column. As a daily columnist, Barbara 
Bladen found her niche reviewing theater, opera, dance, music, and 
film. Although it was difficult in the beginning, she continued to 
strive on and overcome all hurdles to become a revered critic.
  Known as one to put her interviewees at ease, Barbara was successful 
in capturing many celebrity interviews. She made use of her theatrical 
background interviewing Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Jimmy 
Stewart, Omar Shariff, Peter O'Toole, Paul Newman, Lauren Bascall, 
Sophia Lauren, Lucille Ball, Jody Foster, and Kevin Costner to name a 
few. Not only did she dress and act accordingly for each star--in full 
skirts and flamboyant jewelry with a southern twang for country stars, 
in black leather and raw language for rock stars--she knew exactly what 
to ask and how to ask it. Barbara traveled extensively throughout her 
career, and reviewed the many different works she saw and heard from 
all over the world. She has given the bay area community a lifetime of 
her performing arts expertise.
  Her forth-right manner and her charismatic style has been a great 
contribution to the arts arena in the bay area, and to the entire 
community. Mr. Speaker, Barbara Bladen's 39 years of dedication and 
commitment to sharing new works and discovering new talents has 
enlightened the entire San Francisco Bay area. On this day, when we 
celebrate her retirement, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Barbara Bladen for her accomplishments and outstanding 
career.

                          ____________________