[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TOM BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a most 
wonderful person, friend and father--Tom Barnes--who passed away at the 
young age of 55 last Wednesday, July 18th.
  Calvin Coolidge, America's 13th President, once said, ``No person was 
ever honored for what he received; honor has been the reward for what 
he gave.'' And Tom Barnes gave much to his community and the whole of 
the Inland Empire during his life.
  A small piece of heaven just south of Corona, Tom's Farms, was Tom 
Barnes' gift to countless men, women and children. After years of 
selling fruit out of the back of his truck, Tom opened Tom's Farms in 
1971. In the tradition of Walter Knott of Knott's Berry Farm and the 
culture of roadside stands, Tom offered tourists traveling through 
California's Inland Empire fresh fruits, antique furniture and dining 
all in the picturesque setting of country-style buildings painted 
yellow with green trim, a lake and the majestic shade of large trees. 
Today, Tom's Farms remains the perfect family outing and a traditional 
``must-stop'' for anyone heading south on Interstate 15.
  His roots take us back to Kansas City, Missouri where Tom got his 
start in business by selling his father's strawberries door to door. 
And today, Tom's Farms serves as a proud testimonial to that upbringing 
where fresh fruit and vegetables, finches and macaws, cheeses and 
wines, and country and antique furniture is offered for the delight of 
all who stop and take a moment to enjoy their surroundings. Through 
present expansion, including the addition of an animal farm, Tom's 
Farms promises to provide ``down-home'' enjoyment and family fun for 
years to come.
  Tom Barnes was best known for his business finesse and a dedication 
to family and community involvement--particularly when it came to 
supporting local police and fire safety. In fact, for the past two 
years, Tom offered up Tom's Farms for the Great Taste of Corona, an 
annual event to raise funds for the police and fire departments. 
Additionally, Tom's versatility allowed him to expand Tom's Farms in 
the form of furniture stores in Corona and San Bernardino. He was also 
co-owner of TB Scott's restaurant in Corona with his best friend Scott 
Sherman.
  Tom is survived by his wife, Leslie, two sons, two daughters and a 
grandchild. My prayers go out to them for their loss.
  Mr. Speaker, looking back at Tom's life, we see a man dedicated to 
his family and community--an American whose gifts to the Inland Empire 
and southern California led to the betterment of those who had the 
privilege to come in contact or work with him. Honoring Tom's memory is 
the least that we can do today for all that he gave over his lifetime.

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