[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 174 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING FRESNO BEE REPORTER, JOHN ELLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fresno Bee 
reporter, John Ellis. Mr. Ellis was recently presented the Unsung 
Heroes Award given by the Youth Law Center.
  The following is the story printed in today's Fresno Bee celebrating 
John's award:


       Fresno Bee political reporter John Ellis received a 
     national award Wednesday night that honors individuals for 
     their work regarding child welfare and juvenile justice 
     systems.
       The Youth Law Center's annual Unsung Heroes Awards were 
     presented to seven people. Ellis was the only journalist 
     among the honorees, who included bureaucrats, attorneys, a 
     teacher and a Seattle Police Department deputy assistant 
     chief. Six of the honorees are from California.
       His Jan. 14 story, ``Fresno County may house foster 
     children illegally,'' told how Fresno County had been housing 
     some of its most difficult foster children in two area 
     motels, a practice that some legal advocates say violates 
     state law.
       The California Department of Social Services, which found 
     out about the situation through inquires by The Bee, notified 
     Salvador Montana, then director of Fresno County's Department 
     of Children and Family Services, that housing the children in 
     motels was not allowed.
       The county quit the practice after the state stepped in; 
     the children were moved to foster-care group homes.
       The sponsoring Youth Law Center is a national nonprofit 
     organization that focuses on the problems and needs of 
     children who are placed out of home in foster care or 
     juvenile justice systems.


  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Ellis both for his dedication to 
journalism and child welfare. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
wishing John the very best.

                          ____________________