[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 136 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ELIZABETH ``BETH'' BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
Elizabeth ``Beth'' Barnes, Tuolumne County Senior Veterans Services 
Representative, who will retire in December 2012, after 35 years of 
outstanding service to our veterans.
  Elizabeth ``Beth'' Barnes was born October 2, 1945, in San Andreas, 
California. Beth moved to Tuolumne County in 1967 and went to work at 
Brown's Drive Inn in 1972. On June 1, 1977, she was hired on as a 
Housekeeper at Tuolumne General Hospital. On June 5, 1982, she was 
promoted to a clerk typist in the Veterans Office. Beth was then 
promoted to Senior Veterans Services Representative on November 5, 
2000.
  Beth married Harold ``Barney'' Barnes on March 26, 1965. Barney went 
to work for Rasmussen Lumber Company, now known as the Sierra Pacific 
Industries, in Chinese Camp on September 12, 1965, and retired on June 
28, 2012. Beth and Barney have three sons: Stephen, Harold Jr. (Chip) 
and wife Debbie, and Rick and wife Sheila. Stephen and Rick both 
enlisted in the Marines and each served eight years.
  Beth's first passion is her family and home, then her family of 
veterans. She served as the Secretary of the California Association of 
County Veterans Service Officers from 1992 until 2012. She also served 
as the Secretary of the National Association of County Veterans Service 
Officers from 2006 to 2012.
  Over the years, Beth's name has become synonymous with Veterans 
Services. Before most of us had even entered public service, Beth had 
gained a reputation for her vast experience helping veterans and their 
families apply for and obtain their benefits. Her devotion to veterans 
is not only professional, but personal. Many of her family members have 
served in the military, so it is not surprising that working with 
veterans has become her life's work.
  The work that Beth has chosen to do makes significant differences for 
our veterans--from applying for financial compensation, to ensuring 
veterans receive appropriate medical care, to helping their dependents 
with health insurance and college tuition. She has filed claims and 
advised veterans from the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, 
Vietnam, Desert Storm, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. 
These benefits also help our community. Between 2009 and 2010, over one 
million dollars in new one-time benefits were obtained.
  Beth has numerous accreditations and affiliations with the following 
agencies: Accreditations with American Legion; California Department of 
Veteran Affairs; Disabled American Veterans; National Association of 
County Veteran Service Officers; California Association of County 
Veteran Service Officers; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Veterans; 
Military Order of the Purple Heart; Retired Enlisted Association; World 
War I of USA; Vietnam Veterans of America; Jewish War Veterans; and 
Catholic War Veterans.
  To quote Beth: ``This is more than a job; it's a life.''
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending Beth Barnes, 
Tuolumne County Senior Veterans Representative, for her many years of 
selfless service to our veterans and the betterment of our community.

                          ____________________