[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 67 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5528-S5529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ALICE YARISH: IN MEMORIAM

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to honor and share with my 
colleagues the memory of a very special woman, Alice Yarish of Marin 
County, who died May 9, 2005. She was 96 years old.
  Alice Yarish was an award-winning reporter and the Grande Dame of 
Marin journalism. I knew her during the 11 years she worked for the 
Pacific Sun, exposing political scandals and pushing for prison reform.
  During her years as a journalist in Marin, Alice demonstrated 
personal courage and a strong commitment to social justice. Alice is 
most well known for her relentless coverage of prison reform and she 
continued to fight for prisoner rights and prison reform until her 
retirement from the Pacific Sun in 1981.
  She went on to write her autobiography, ``Growing Old Disgracefully: 
Adventures of a Maverick Reporter.''
  Alice was born in Goldfield, NV, where her father was a judge and her 
mother was one of the first women lawyers in the State. Her family 
moved to Redondo Beach, CA when she was still young. After graduating 
from high school, Redondo Beach is where Alice began her long and 
passionate career as a journalist.
  Alice worked for the Los Angeles Express when she interviewed First 
Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Out enjoying a bicycle ride wearing shorts and 
a sweatshirt, Alice spotted Mrs. Roosevelt entering a beachfront hotel 
and ran after her to request an interview. She was granted the 
interview, which shocked and amazed her editors.
  After her stint at the Los Angeles Express, Alice left journalism to 
attend college and law school at the University of Southern California. 
Financial problems during the Depression led her to leave law school 
early, and she took

[[Page S5529]]

a job as a social worker with the Emergency Relief Administration. She 
left this job when she married career military man, Peter Yarish, and 
moved with him to Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato.
  Alice raised four children and returned to journalism when she was 42 
years old. She wrote for the Marin Independent Journal, the Novato 
Advance, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and the San Francisco Examiner. 
But it was at the Pacific Sun where she really made a name for herself 
as a unique, outspoken woman journalist.
  Those who knew Alice viewed her as a sharp and witty reporter with a 
tremendous sense of curiosity. She took pride in uncovering injustice 
at every level of government. She stood out as a passionate watchdog 
with an incredible capacity for building friendships throughout the 
local community. Alice was deeply-respected by fellow journalists, 
editors and elected officials. She will be deeply missed.
  Alice is survived by her four children, Tim Yarish of Sausalito, 
Thomas Yarish of Mill Valley, Anthony Yarish of Cotati, and Robin Ell 
of Portland, OR. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and three 
great grandchildren.

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