Visalia Times-Delta from Visalia, California • 4

4A THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 VISALIA TIMES-DELTA Court: Man can't sue over records sharing Bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs dies Social Security Administration gave the FAA the medical records of some 45,000 Northern California residents who applied for licenses. The FAA was investigating whether pilots were using one set of doctors to certify their fitness to fly while applying to Social Security for disability payments using other doctors to support claims of illness and injury. Cooper was identified in "Operation Safe Pilot" as an FAA licensee who also was receiving disability benefits. He admitted withholding his HIV condition from the FAA on applications filed between 1998 and 2004. Cooper pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement.

He paid a $1,000 fine. The FAA has since changed its policy. Despite the conviction, he sued the federal government in 2007 for violating the Privacy Act after discovering that the Social Security Administration turned over his medical records to the FAA without his consent. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that he could only recover actual damages.

Because Cooper only alleged emotional distress and no out-of-pocket expenses over disclosures of a disease that he kept private, the judge tossed out the suit. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that, saying emotional distress caused by the disclosure of Cooper's illness counts as actual damages. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer dissented, saying they would have let the Privacy Act lawsuit move forward. The ruling "cripples the act's core purpose of redressing and deterring violations of privacy interests," Sotomayor said.

Justice Elena Kagan did not participate because she worked on the case while solicitor general. The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot be sued for emotional distress after two agencies improperly shared a man's medical records detailing his HIV status. "We hold that the Privacy Act does not unequivocally authorize an award of damages for mental or emotional distress," said Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the 5-3 opinion throwing out Stanmore Cooper's lawsuit. "Accordingly, the act does not waive the federal government's sovereign immunity from liability for such harms." The San Francisco man, who is HIV-positive, disclosed that information to Social Security officials to receive medical benefits, but withheld it from the Federal Aviation Administration. During a criminal investigation involving pilots' medical fitness to fly, the Brown defends plan, says money goes to schools Brown is being untruthful by saying most of the money from his initiative will go to schools.

She said she started running TV commercials about her initiative to "get the truth out." As recently as last week, Brown told reporters "100 percent" of the taxes he's proposing would go to education. Brown said Wednesday that he is telling essayist, poet Rich the truth. "The tax goes to schools. That's what it does," Brown said after promoting his initiative to a gathering of law enforcement leaders. "We're dedicating the money to schools; it goes into a special account, and we're going to do everything we can to protect our universities, protect our schools, but also balance the budget." used her experiences as a mother to write "Of Woman Born," her ground-breaking feminist critique of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, published in 1976.

Rich believed that art and politics should not be separate and considered herself a socialist. Rich taught at many colleges and universities, including Brandeis, Rutgers, Cornell, San Jose State and Stanford. Rich won a Mac-Arthur "genius" fellowship, two Guggenheim Fellowships and many top literary awards, including the Bollin-gen Prize, Brandeis Creative Arts Medal, Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and Wallace Stevens Award. Adrienne Rich in 2006 7A 1974. In 2004, she won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry for her collection "The School Among the Ruins." She first gained national prominence with her third poetry collection, "Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law," in 1963.

She and her husband had three sons before she left him in 1970, just as the women's movement was exploding on the national scene. She Versolina P. Codorniz, 89 years old passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2012. She was born on May 7, 1922 in Tipton, Ca. to Frank and Guilhermina Pires.

Visitation will be held on Apr. 1, 2012, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Miller's Tulare Funeral Home, 151 North Street, Tulare. Rosary and Mass will be held on Apr.

2, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 East Pleasant Avenue, Tulare, with burial at Tulare District Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Miller's Tulare Funeral Home. OBITUARIES The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Blue-grass legend and banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs, who helped profoundly change country music with Bill Monroe in the 1940s and later with guitarist Lester Flatt, has died. He was 88. Scruggs' son, Gary, said his father died of natural causes Wednesday morning at a Nashville, hospital. Earl Scruggs was an innovator who pioneered the modern banjo sound. His use of three fingers rather than the clawhammer style elevated the banjo from a part of the rhythm section or a comedian's prop to a lead instrument.

His string-bending and lead runs became known worldwide as "the Scruggs picking style" and the versatility it allowed has helped popularize the banjo in almost every genre of music. The debut of Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys during a post-World War II performance on the Grand Ole Opry is thought of as the "big bang" moment for bluegrass and later 20th century country music. Later, Flatt and Scruggs teamed as a bluegrass act from the late 1940s until breaking up in 1969 in a dispute over whether their music should experiment or stick to tradition. Flatt died in 1979. They were best known for their 1949 recording "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," played in the 1967 movie "Bonnie and Clyde," and "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" from "The Beverly Hillbillies," the popular TV series that made its debut in 1962.

Jerry Scog-gins did the singing. After the breakup, Scruggs used three of his sons in the Earl Scruggs Revue. They played on bills with rock acts like Step-penwolf and James Taylor. Sometimes they played festivals before 40,000 people. In a July 2010 interview, a Chief Master Sergeant.

He was in the Strategic Air Command, and served through the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts stationed in Germany and Thailand while attached to ground radar maintenance. He worked for a short time for RCA and was retired from the 3M company. He enjoyed researching genealogy and working at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints genealogy library for many years. He was a member of The Pilgrim Edward Doty Society and also enjoyed bowling, playing basketball and baseball in his high school years, crossword puzzles, cryptograms, reading, and old westerns. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Rankin of Visalia, son James Rankin and his wife Jean of Kennedale, TX, three daughters: Janet Garbe and her husband Rich Acosta of Layfayette, CO, Joanne Avery and her husband Mike of Bamboo, WI, Jeanne Rankin of Visalia; a brother John Rankin of Schenectady, NY, four grandchildren: Allyson Gullette and her husband Todd of Frederick, CO; Daniel Garbe of Honolulu, HI; Christopher and Austin Rankin of Kennedale, TX; great-grandson Deegan Gullette of Frederick, CO, eight nieces, 4 nephews, 1 cousin, and many extended family members and A memorial service will not be held upon his request. A private interment will take place at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ. Memorial contributions can be sent to the donor's favorite charity. Services Thursday Aurora Hernandez, 70, of Tulare passed away March 26, 2012. A Wake will be held at 7 PM on April 4, 2012 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel.

A Service will be held at 10 AM on April 5, 2012 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5 PM till 7 PM on April 4, 2012 at Salser" and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Burial at North Tulare District Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to infogsalseranddilla rd.com Margo G. Kreider, 52, passed March 22, 2012 in Tulare, CA.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday March 29, 2012 at at Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA. Condolences may be offered at www.millerchapel.com .0 be Earl Scruggs in 2010 Scruggs said that in the early days, "I played guitar as much as I did the banjo, but for everyday picking, I'd go back to the banjo. It just fit what I wanted to hear better than what I could do with the guitar." Scruggs will always be remembered for his willingness to innovate. In "The Big Book of Blue-grass," Scruggs discussed the breakup with Flatt and how his need to experiment drove a rift between them. Later in 1985, he and Flatt were inducted together in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

"It wasn't a bad feeling toward each other as much as it was that I felt I was depriving myself of something," Scruggs said. "By that, I mean that I love blue-grass music and I still like to play it, but I do like to mix in some other music for my own personal satisfaction because if I don't, I can get a little bogged down and a little depressed." He said he enjoyed playing because "it calms me down. It makes me satisfied. Sometimes I just need to pick a few tunes." In 2005, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" was selected for the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry of works of unusual merit. The following year, the 1972 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," on which Scruggs was one of many famous guest performers, joined the list, too.

Scruggs had been fairly active in the 2000s, returning to a limited touring schedule after frail health in the 1990s. In 2001, he released a CD, "Earl Scruggs and Friends," his first album in a decade. Sherry Lynn Pipkin of Tulare, 64, died on March 21, 2012. Visitation will be held on Mar. 28, 2012 from p.m at Sterling Smith Funeral Home 415 Street Tulare.

Graveside services will be held at Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba at 10:00 a.m on Mar. 29, 2012. Condolences can be made at www.sterlingsmithfd.c om. Services entrusted to Sterling Smith Funeral Home, Tulare. Services Friday Antonia Renteria, 86, df Tulare, passed away March 25, 2012.

Viewing will be held from 12-8 p.m., Mar. 29, 2012 at Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel, Tulare. A Rosary Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Mar. 30, 2012 at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 954 So.

Tulare, with burial following and Tulare District Cemetery. Georgia A. DeLay, 84, of Visalia passed away March 25, 2012. Graveside Services will be held on March 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Exeter District Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evan smillerguinnchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Evans Miller Quinn Chapel. Jennifer Rosemarie Avina of Tulare, 19, died on March 24, 2012. Visitation will be held on Mar. 29, 2012 from at Sterling Smith Funeral Home, 415 Street, Tulare. A Mass will be held on Mar.

30, 2012 at at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 954 S. Street, Tulare. Condolences can be made at www.sterlingsm ithfd.com. Arrangements entrusted to Sterling Smith Funeral Home, Tulare.

Opal L. Slover, 90, passed March 22, 2012. Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 30, 2012 at at the Visalia District Cemetery. Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA. Santos E.

Cerda, age 51, of Parlier, passed away on March 23, 2012. Visitation will be held at Mvers Chapel, Porterville on Mar. 29, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Wake will be held at Myers Chapel, Porterville, on Mar. 29.

2012 at 6:00 PM. Service will held at Mvers Chapel, Porterville, on Mar. 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM with burial at Hill-crest Memorial Park. Arrangements by Myers Funeral Service Crematory, Porterville. Brown's proposed initiative would help cover the state's budget deficit, provide money for local law enforcement and prevent deeper cuts to education and other services.

His proposal, unlike Munger's, also would dedicate money to help counties deal with lower-level offenders who are now being diverted to jails instead of state prisons. dies at 82 But when President Bill Clinton awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1997, she refused to accept it, citing the administration's "cynical politics." Born in Baltimore in 1929, Rich was the elder of two daughters of a Jewish father and Protestant mother a mixed heritage that she recalled in her autobiographical poem "Sources." Her father, a doctor and medical professor at Johns Hopkins University, encouraged her to write poetry at an early age. Rich graduated from Rad-cliffe College in 1951 and was chosen for the Yale Younger Poets Prize for her first book of poetry, "A Change of World." jr Jacquelyn Marie Plett November 16, 1927 -February 24, 2012 A Celebration of Life honoring Jacquelyn Marie Plett is scheduled for Friday, March 30 at 2:00 pm. It will be held at Sierra Baptist Church, 1437 E. Walnut Visalia, CA 93292.

Milton J. Rankin Milton J. Rankin of Visalia passed away Friday March 23, 2012 in Visalia, at the age of 80. Milton, "Red" to close friends and family, was born October 8, 1931 in Cranford, New Jersey. He was the first bom child of James and Edith Rankin.

Milton lived in Ft. Worth, TX; San Antonio, TX; Waco, TX; Little Rock, AR; Celle, Germany; Toms River, NJ; Rome, NY; Dover-Foxcroft, ME; Bangor, ME; Willingboro, NJ; and Lake Havasu City, AZ, before coming to Visalia in 1979. He graduated from Cranford High School Class of 1948. Milton was in the Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 1973 as Place an Obituary. For complete information: Call: 559.735-3333 classifiedvisaliatimesdetta.com i tr.

The Associated Press SACRAMENTO Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday defended his characterization that his tax initiative primarily helps schools, rejecting criticism from the backer of a rival tax proposal who says he is distorting the benefits. Los Angeles attorney Molly Munger said last week that Feminist The Associated Press SANTA CRUZ Poet AdrienneRich, whose socially conscious verse influenced a generation of feminist, gay rights and anti-war activists, has died. She was 82. Rich died Tuesday at her Santa Cruz home from complications from rheumatoid arthritis, said her son, Pablo Conrad.

Through her writing, Rich explored topics such as women's rights, racism, sexuality, economic justice and love between women. Rich published more than a dozen volumes of poetry and five collections of nonfiction. She won a National Book Award for her collection of poems "Diving Into the Wreck" in DEATHS Angela Alonzo, 73, passed March 23, 2012. Visitation: April 3, 2012 from l-8pm at Dopkins Chapel. Service: April 4, 2012 at 10am at St.

Catherine's Catholic Church. Arrangements by Dopkins Funeral Chapel, Dinuba. Aurora Hernandez, 70, a substitute teacher of Tulare passed away March 26, 2012. A Wake will be held at 7 PM on April 4, 2012 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. A Service will be held at 10 AM on April 5, 2012 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel.

Visitation will be held from 5 PM till 7 PM on April 4, 2012 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Burial at North Tulare District Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to infosalseranddilla rd.com Jerry Windham, 70, of Exeter passed away March 26, 2012. He was in upholstery. Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be e-mailed to infosalseranddilIar d.com Khay Inthongkham, 71, passed March 26, 2012. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Miller Memorial Chapel at Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel. Pasqualina M. Buldo, 89, passed March 27, 2012.

Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel on Monday, April 2, 2012 from 3pm until 6pm. A Rosary will be prayed on Monday, April 2, 2012 at at Miller Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Visalia. Santos E.

Cerda, age 51, of Parlier, passed away on March 23, 2012. He was a Mechanic. Visitation will be held at Myers Chapel, Porterville on Mar. 29, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Wake will be held at Myers Chapel, Porterville, on Mar.

29, 2012 at 6:00 PM. Service will be held at Myers Chapel, Porterville, on Mar. 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM with bunal at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Arrangements by Myers Funeral Service Crematory, Porterville. Margaret Simon Baty Margaret was born November 19, 1920 in Visalia, California to John Jacob Simon, Sr.

and Anna Steitz Simon. She passed Vinzina Salvi-Kubas, 84, passed March 10, 2012 in Visalia, CA. Funeral Service will be Private. Condolences may be offered at www.millerc hapel.com Missed an Obituary? Goto Legacy.com to locate it Carrie Batv of Los Angeles, bv her parents, sisters Emma Cree, and Freida Parsons; and Carl Simon, and Robert Union High School in 1938. Softball for 20 years until the asked to throw out the first for 35 years until her retirement loved spending time with her dinner with her brothers and extend special thanks to the Living and Kaweah Delta Margaret in her final weeks.

contributions in Margaret Living and Kawean Lelta will be held Saturday, March away Visalia, California in the early morning of March 27, 2012 with her three Children at her bedside. Margaret is survived by her daughter Shirley Baty of Visalia, California; sons William Baty and wife Suzanne of Haymarket, Virginia and Robert Baty and wife Janice of Chico, California; brothers and wives Conrad and Eleanore Simon, Richard and Faye Simon, and George and Delores Simon, all of Visalia, California; sisters-in-law Betty Simon, Donna Simon, and Helen Simon, all of Visalia, California; alone with grand children: Gwendolyn Baty and Katrina Baty of Beaverton, Oregon; Brian Baty and Kristin Wear of Chico, California, Scott Baty ot Fortuna, California, and California; and five great grandchildren: Victoria Baty and Elijah Voshall of Beaverton, Oregon; and Jordan Baty, Brandon Baty, and Karsen Wear of Chico, California. Margaret was preceded in death Simon, Anna Frampton, Louise brothers John Jacob "Jack" Simon, Simon. Margaret graduated from Visalia She played women's fast pitch mid-1950's, mostly at the Recreation Park baseball field where, in May, 2011, at age 90, she was pitch at a Rawhide's baseball game. Margaret worked for SecuntvSafeco Title Insurance Company in Visalia, California in March, iy6.

Upon her retirement, she joined the Gad-A-Bouts which allowed her to travel all over the United States and attend social functions, including dancing, which was her favorite past time activity. In her later years, Margaret family, including the monthly sisters that has been held continuously for over 15 years. Margaret family would like to staffs at Park Visalia Assisted Hospice for their wonderful care of In lieu of flowers, please send name to Park Visalia Assisted Hospice. A memorial service for Margaret 31, 2012 at at Grace Lutheran Church in Visalia. Condolences may be offered at www.millerchapel.com..