[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1400-E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF DORIS THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay final tribute to my friend 
Doris Thomas, who died peacefully on July 8 in San Francisco. Doris was 
a long-time community organizer and political activist who worked 
tirelessly to empower local communities through political involvement. 
Doris was a leader in our City, and I join so many other San 
Franciscans in mourning her passing.
  Born in Laurel, Mississippi, to the Reverend Simon S. Thomas and Rosa 
Henry, Doris was one of five children. After earning a B.A. from 
Hampton University and a law degree from Howard University in 
Washington D.C., Doris moved to San Francisco. From 1963 until 1983 she 
served as District Director for the great Congressman Philip Burton. 
She was a patient, savvy problem solver who specialized in immigration 
issues. After Congressman Burton's death she worked for his wife, 
Congresswoman Sala Burton. Doris also worked for Mayors Frank Jordan 
and Willie Brown as a program manager for the Mayor's Office of 
Community Development.
  Doris was a tireless champion of the African-American Community and a 
member of

[[Page E1401]]

the Black Leadership Forum. Her public service transcended any 
particular organization, however, and she was active in the Chinese-
American Democratic Club, the Democratic Women's Political Forum, and 
other groups. She contributed her political expertise to many 
campaigns, including those of Philip Burton, Sala Burton, Frank Jordan, 
Jesse Jackson, and my own.
  After retiring from Congressional work in 1987, Doris turned her 
focus to government and political consulting, specializing in 
immigration law. In addition to helping countless individuals earn 
citizenship, she dedicated herself to voter education. Among her 
influential efforts for political mobilization was her role as founder 
of the Bayview-Hunters Point Democratic Club.
  Doris Thomas was a devoted mother, sister and friend. To her 
daughter, Tandi, and her sisters, Naomi Gray and Ruth Long, I extend my 
deepest sympathies. To all those who loved Doris, thank you for sharing 
her with us.

                          ____________________