[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA BARNARD--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Every year, we dedicate the month of March to give special 
recognition to the accomplishments and sacrifices made by America's 
women. I consider it an honor to highlight the extraordinary women who 
are making a difference in my district. I would like to recognize one 
outstanding woman: Sylvia Barnard, of Santa Maria, California.
   After facing incredible challenges in her early life, Sylvia has 
risen to not only empower herself, but other women facing similar 
difficulties in our community. Once a single mother on welfare at 
nineteen years old, Sylvia decided that pursuing a higher education was 
the best way to ensure a better life for her and her daughter and went 
on to get her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, 
Santa Barbara (UCSB). Wanting to help other single mothers, Sylvia used 
her education from UCSB to write a book titled ``One Mother to 
Another.'' Her book focuses on the importance of determination, 
resilience, and the positive impact of higher education.
   Currently, she passionately dedicates herself to leading The Good 
Samaritan Shelter, which gives support to the homeless and other 
vulnerable populations, serving almost 2,000 people per year. The 
agency also helps veterans, parolees, mothers fighting addictions, and 
those in rehabilitation. As the Executive Director, Sylvia has grown 
the small agency from a shelter that had only eight rooms to one that 
now has over fifteen rooms for people to escape living on the street.
   Sylvia began working at the Great Samaritan Shelter over sixteen 
years ago as a grant writer, and about ten years ago took the helm of 
the organization. Under the helm of her leadership, the shelter is now 
the largest homeless shelter provider for the Santa Maria area.
   She has gone above and beyond the call of duty and is a force of 
light and positivity for vulnerable communities in Santa Maria. I ask 
all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of 
California's 24th Congressional District, Sylvia Barnard, for her 
incredible service to her community.

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