[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING SHERIFF JIM THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Sheriff Jim Thomas of 
Santa Barbara County who was the recipient of the ``Guardian of Youth 
Award'' by the Goleta Valley Youth Sports Center. Sheriff Thomas has 
recently been chosen for this prestigious award because the represents 
the finest of a community of citizens that has dedicated itself to the 
future of our youth.
  Sheriff Thomas' commitment and service to youth is vast. He has given 
much of his own time and energy to the Drug Abuse Resistance Program--
DARE--by speaking to students about the negative aspects of drug and 
alcohol abuse. In addition, his administration has devoted five full 
time deputy sheriffs who spend time on-campuses and in school 
classrooms educating young people about substance abuse, violence, and 
self-worth. Under his leadership, DARE has reached more than 20,000 
elementary and junior high students.
  Sheriff Thomas has also committed hundreds of thousands of dollars of 
confiscated illegal drug money to fund school resource officers, and to 
support girls' and boys' sports programs, kids camp, and youth 
scholarship programs. Clearly, Sheriff Thomas` legacy reaches to 
countless youth and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to commend 
the George ``Ben'' Page Memorial Youth Center and the Youth Sports 
Association for their commitment to the fitness and wellness of our 
children. I believe that the value of the Youth Center is far greater 
than an extraordinary building--it contains the generosity of spirit of 
the Association and Santa Barbara County. Most importantly, the 
Association and its volunteers will positively impact children today 
and for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I was honored to join my community this past weekend to 
pay tribute to Sheriff Jim Thomas. He is a man who has served with 
unparalleled dedication and compassion. I commend him for years of 
service to the County of Santa Barbara and to our nation.

                          ____________________