McCarthy calls for action to stem immigration crisis at Arizona border

By CAMERON ARCAND THE CENTER SQUARE

Contributor

(The Center Square) - House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a Republican Congressional delegation visited the ucson sector of the southern border Thursday.

The delegation of freshmen congressmen met with Customs and Border Protection to discuss the crisis and then spoke with reporters about the new Republican House majority’s plans to tackle the issue.

“The saddest part about all of this – the Mexican government doesn’t know which of their citizens are leaving their country. The American government does not know who’s coming into our country. But there’s one entity who knows both, the Sinaloa Cartel,” Rep. McCarthy said at a news conference in Cochise County.

“They know exactly who’s coming across, and who’s entering. They also know what’s in the backpacks, the drugs to kill Americans,” he continued.

In addition to the helicopter tour, the delegation also met with law enforcement officials and citizens at a roundtable on drug smuggling and the disruption in border communities.

At the news conference, Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani criticized President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s handling of the issue since taking office in 2021.

“There are two people that can really have an immediate impact on the situation in this country and that’s President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas, and they both have

SHAW, Edwin “Koury”

Edwin “Koury” Shaw was born on July 5, 1932, to William and Malvina Shaw in Santa Barbara, California; the youngest of 6 sons. Koury passed on February 10, 2023, at the age of 90, with laughter and peace in the company of his nephew, Rudy. He attended school until the time of his enlistment in the Army where he went on to serve in the Korean war. Koury was a renowned figure in Santa Barbara. He is a descendent inducted into the Santa Barbara Trust of Historic Preservation with precious Barbareno Chumash ancestry. Koury was a successful plastering contractor by trade and had many interests in cars and service organizations. Later in life he owned the historical Laguna Store & Deli, till his retirement. If you didn‚Äôt catch, Koury cruising down the road to his favorite breakfast spots to meet up with his best friend George Mattis , then you could catch him at the casino winning big. He was truly a lucky charm, with a smile so vibrant and a heart so generous. He was the king of silly sayings and could always make you laugh. If you told him to meet you at a time, he would always certainly be early! He loved to watch all the westerns in his downtime and call all his family on FaceTime. He will live in our hearts forever. Ed is survived by his children: Edwin Shaw (Son) and Julie Shaw (Daughter), along with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren a well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family was the world to Papa Koury and his best days, and our best memories are the times we gathered, whether one on one or with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: William and Malvina; his son, Craig, and brothers: Harvey, Harold, Russell, Rudolph and George. He left as sharp as he arrived and we will all miss him until we meet again.

Graveside service at Calvary Cemetery Santa Barbara is set for 12 pm, Friday February 24, 2023 in the outdoor chapel. A gathering is being planned immediately following the service. For additional information please email ERS0705@icloud.com

PARENT, Claire Louise

April 22, 1933 - January 26, 2023 failed and they have shown no interest in fixing this issue,” Rep. Ciscomani said.

It is with heavy hearts and with the joy of a lifetime of memories, that we announce the passing of Claire Louise Parent. She died peacefully on January 26th, 2023, at Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, California.

Claire was born on April 22, 1933, the third of four children, to Frank and Mae Smith in San Mateo, California, a few miles south of San Francisco.

Claire graduated from Mercy High School in Burlingame before enrolling at U.C. Santa Barbara. Claire was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and graduated in 1955 with a degree in speech therapy. While in college, Claire was set up on a blind date with Jerry Parent, a Santa Barbara resident and UCLA student, and, ultimately, the love of her life.

Claire and Jerry married in 1955 and soon after moved to Oahu, Hawaii, so Jerry could finish his active duty in the Army. They lived at Schofield barracks, the army base made famous a few years earlier when the movie From Here To Eternity was filmed on site. It was there that Claire and Jerry welcomed their daughter, Colleen, into the world.

After Jerry completed his service, the young Parent family moved to San Francisco so Jerry could finish his law degree at Hastings Law School. Upon Jerry passing the bar exam, the family moved to Santa Barbara. There, Claire and Jerry would raise their family which would grow to include Jay and Julia. While raising the children, Claire was active in her community, particularly the Junior League. There, she would help organize fund drives as well as perform in the campy Junior League follies at the Lobero theater, raising money to benefit the community. The plays really brought out Claire’s inner actress!

When her children were in their teens, Claire became a top real estate agent for Pitts & Bachman realtors in Montecito. For nearly 30 years, Claire helped hundreds of clients, including many cultural icons, navigate the often treacherous waters of real estate negotiations before her retirement in 2005.

In 1979, Claire found her dream house; a Carlton Winslow designed Spanish/ Mediterranean home on the upper east side of Santa Barbara. It was here that for the next 40 years Claire would entertain friends and celebrate family with countless cocktail and dinner parties, receptions, showers and birthday parties. Every Christmas would be enhanced by a sublimely decorated tree, with every gift underneath exquisitely wrapped. Every child’s or grandchild’s birthday or achievement was a special occasion and cause for a celebratory dinner. Sunday night family dinners were a 40 year tradition - and, while not obligatory, you showed up if you could.

Over the years, the Santa Barbara street home would become a dynamic canvas for Claire’s artistic energy. As Claire’s sense of aesthetics evolved, the house and gardens would transform to meet her vision. There was hardly a space, inside or out , that didn’t have Claire’s imprimatur. The home and garden were a neighborhood treasure and often was the inspiration of artists and photographers. Claire’s eclectic appreciation of art was evident throughout the house, where one could find abstract expressionism in the same room as local artists’ landscapes, sculptures, funky ceramic figurines and folk art. For every occasion, or no occasion, Claire would have decorative flower arrangements throughout the home, fashioned from materials culled from her own garden, including simple, yet elegant, ikebana creations.

Claire loved her garden and wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty. She loved, more than most things, entertaining her grandchildren there. For the grandchildren, the garden had a fairy-tale quality. With odd sculptures and figurines nestled throughout, the aroma of blossoming gardenia, jasmine, lavender and plumeria often in the air, it was a special place for her to share with them, to teach them an appreciation of nature and beauty. It even had a secret door to enhance the mystery! There was always a bluebird to feed, or a flower to plant, a weed to pull or a game to be played.

Later in life, Claire and Jerry found time to travel the world. Together, and with friends, they often traveled on tours sponsored by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. They visited and revisited India, Africa, many European countries, and Japan. Claire and Jerry even visited Cuba on a special visa, and brought supplies to Cuban artists.

Claire will be remembered by her many friends and family as a woman of great poise, humor, beauty, style and grace. She was a singular force in the lives of all whom she touched, the go-to matriarch if you had to share sorrows or joys. She was a ubiquitous presence in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. The love of Jerry’s life, his partner, his best friend, his fellow adventurer on this grand stage, she was unique in how deeply she loved, and how deeply she was loved. We will miss her.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Cy, and her sisters, Marge & Betty. She is survived by her husband, Jerry, her children, Colleen, Julia, and Jay, son in laws Will and Stephen, her grandchildren, Nicole, Ryan, Noah, and James, Nicole’s husband Rachon, Ryan’s wife Lyndsay, and her four great-granddaughters, Cecily(CeCe), Avery, Salina(Lina), and Charlotte Claire.

There will be a celebration of Claire’s life on Saturday, March 4th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Valley Club of Montecito, 1901 Valley Club Rd, Montecito, CA 93108.

“We’re not here talking about immigration reform, we’re here talking about border security. These are two different issues and we need to deal with them separately,” he later added.

Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, Jen Kiggans of Virginia, and Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin were also in attendance. Congressional Republicans have more visits to the border planned, including a House Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for Thursday in Yuma.

RICHARDS, Gerald Bernard, Jr.

Jerry passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on January 6, 2023, at his mother’s side. Jerry was born on May 6, 1984, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.

Jerry graduated from Dos Pueblos H.S., continued his education at San Diego State, and graduated from Cal State Northridge. Jerry’s career was working as a problem solver, as a real estate assistant, and later at Jordano’s in Goleta. There wasn’t a technical or computer problem that Jerry couldn’t handle.

Jerry was kind, funny, handsome, and intelligent.

He was predeceased by his dad, Gerald B. Richards, Sr. Jerry is survived by his mother, Patti Richards, his three sisters, and additional family members, and his friends who loved him dearly and will surely miss him.

A celebration of life will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 3721 Modoc Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105, on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 11:00am.

HARRIGAN, Barbara

May 15, 1927 - February 10, 2023

Barbara Harrigan passed away peacefully at the Casa Dorinda in Montecito, CA on Friday.

Born in Milwaukee, WI, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Dora Heald. While attending the University of Wisconsin, she met her future husband John Harrigan.

After marrying in 1950 they set out for a new life in the Pacific Northwest. She and John raised their family in Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA. As John worked his way up the ranks of the banking business, Barbara was always by his side. A past member of the Los Angeles Country Club and the Valley Club of Montecito, Barbara was an avid golfer and bridge player. After retiring to Santa Barbara, she volunteered locally and was a member of the Little Town Club. Her status as a respected member of her community concealed her more adventurous side, which included both a feigned pregnancy to secure lodging on her honeymoon in Yellowstone, and an earlier attempt to run away with childhood friends to Chicago that both began and ended at the Milwaukee train station.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 2017 and is survived by her daughter, Sarah (Sally) Gruber, son, Peter Harrigan, and grandchildren, Shaun, Quinn and Colin Gruber, Erin McClintock, and Ainsleigh and Audrey Harrigan. The family wishes to thank the Casa Dorinda and the private caregivers who provided Barbara with loving support the last few years. While her release from the dementia that clouded her last years is indeed a blessing, she will be greatly missed.

Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary

AXTELL, James Creighton “Jim”

103 years old, Solvang California

4/15/1919 - 1/10/2023 sports@newspress.com

Jim had a remarkably long and blessed life. He was born in Omaha Nebraska to Cleone and George Axtell. He was an only child, mostly raised by his mother and grandmother in Kansas City, Kansas and St. Joseph Missouri. He thoroughly enjoyed living near the woods and his time in the Boy Scouts. Jim, always industrious, at age 8 began selling and delivering magazines such as the “Saturday Evening Post.” His interest in publication sales and distribution led him to develop the largest newspaper route in Kansas City by age 18. He also participated in ROTC during his high school years.

After moving to California in 1940, Jim met Phyllis Graham while they were both working at Lockheed Aircraft Plant in Burbank. They were married in 1943. Jim and Phyllis celebrated their 79th wedding anniversary May 26 of 2022.

Jim worked at Lockheed Skunk Works on the United States’ first jet fighter, the XP-80.

The program was classified and important to the war effort so his draft to the military was deferred until Japan surrendered. He was then drafted into the Army Air Force to be part of the occupation effort in post-war Japan.

Both Jim and Phyllis returned to employment at Lockheed after the war. With the help of many friends, they built their own home in Northridge, CA. Their family was complete with the addition of son, James Robert in 1954 and daughter, Nellana Colleen in 1956.

A job opportunity with Lockheed at Vandenberg Air Force Base brought the family to Solvang in 1958 and they built a new home in Janin Acres in 1960. Jim was a chairman of Solvang’s Boy Scout Troop 46 while son Jim was in scouting.

After retiring from Lockheed, Jim worked at Ajax Co. in Santa Barbara, Aero Spacelines in Goleta, Martin Marietta at VAFB, and Santa Barbara County Schools at various locations throughout the county. Jim valued education for himself and his family and he completed his master’s degree in education in 1977 at the age of 58.

Jim was active in his community and church throughout his time in the SY Valley. He served as the Superintendent of Sunday School at the SYV Presbyterian Church for several years. He was active in the Solvang chapter of the Mason’s and the Flat Fenders Jeep Club. He served two terms on the SYV High School Board of Trustees. In 2018, Jim and Phyllis served as Grand Marshalls in the Solvang Fourth of July Parade. Jim was active at the Solvang Senior Center, and the “Men’s Group” in his later years. He supported many causes throughout the valley including the SYV Humane Society and the Solvang Library.

Jim made the best of his retirement years, traveling to many destinations and different countries with Phyllis. He spent countless hours in his shop building various projects and gifts for his family and tinkering with cars. As a member of the Flat Fenders Jeep Club, he frequently drove his 1944 army jeep in local parades and events. Jim was an avid walker for most of his life and was well known in Janin Acres for his daily treks with his faithful black lab, Luke.

Jim is survived by his wife, Phyllis and their two children, Jim Axtell and wife, Lynn (Parks) Axtell of Goleta, and Nell (Axtell) Lobdell and husband, Richard Lobdell of Las Vegas, five grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Atterdag for their kind and compassionate care during Jim’s last year.

A memorial service is planned for March 18, 2023 at the Presbyterian Church at 1:00 p.m. in Ballard. There will be a casual reception to follow at the church.

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