[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THELMA BARRIOS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Thelma Barrios, who 
this year is receiving the 3rd annual Chief Dominick J. Rivetti Award 
from the San Fernando Police Advisory Council. Thelma is editor and 
publisher of the San Fernando Sun, a weekly publication that serves San 
Fernando and the surrounding area. In an age of media conglomerates, 
and 24-hour news channels, the Sun is an excellent reminder of the 
value of a good community newspaper. Thelma works hard to make sure 
that local politics, community news and interesting activities 
involving Northeast Valley residents receive extensive coverage in the 
pages of her newspaper. Over the years I have found the Sun a pleasure 
to read.
  Thelma's accomplishments are all the more remarkable considering the 
trajectory of her career. She started working at the Sun nearly 40 
years ago as a bill collector, answering an ad that asked ``for a man 
to do collections.'' That minor detail didn't deter Thelma, who went in 
and applied for the job anyway. The owner of the Sun, L.A. Copeland, 
offered Thelma the job, telling her that results were more important 
than whether he hired a man or a woman.
  Thelma flourished at the paper. She went from bill collector, to 
telephone operator, to member of the classified advertising department 
and, finally, editor and publisher. It was a perfect match. Thelma 
works tremendously hard putting out the Sun each week. At the same 
time, she is never too busy to take another press release or listen to 
another story idea.
  Though it's hard to believe, Thelma is not a San Fernando native. 
Along with her family, she came to California from Ohio in the early 
1940s. Not long after the move, she met her future husband, Joseph 
Barrios, when the two of them worked together at a movie theater near 
downtown Los Angeles. Thelma and her husband, who passed away a few 
years ago, made the move to San Fernando soon after the end of World 
War II.
  The Barrios family has strong ties to the city; Joe was a member of 
the San Fernando Police Force for 32 years.
  Thelma has won two separate national journalism contests sponsored by 
the University of Missouri, and is the recipient of several awards from 
the Valley Press Club. The Dominick J. Rivetti Award, named in honor of 
my dear friend and the Chief of Police in San Fernando, recognizes 
Thelma's extraordinary contributions to the city.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Thelma Barrios, whose 
dedication to her craft and devotion to her community inspire us all.

                          ____________________