Jan. 24 Proclaimed Joseph Barbera Day in Los Angeles County
During a memorial ceremony at the Warner Bros. Burbank, California lot last night for the late animation legend Joseph Barbera, attendees learned Jan. 24, 2007 was proclaimed "Joseph Barbera Day" in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presented a scroll Barbera's children -- Lynn, Jayne and Neal.
The supervisor told the assembly of Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network former and current employees that Barbera had donated the use of Yogi Bear for an earthquake simulator schoolhouse that has traveled to schools and produced an instructional Yogi comicbook to educate kids and help them deal with their fears about quakes.
The proclamation stated:
"The generosity and creativity of Joseph Barbera was a tremendous asset to Los Angeles County. He donated the "Yogi Bear" name and image to our Shaky Quakey Schoolhouse van that gave children comfort and encouragement as they experienced the sights and sounds of a 6.5 earthquake. And his team illustrated the earthquake safety tips comicbook and the videotape introduction that has resulted in over 1 million children becoming better able to protect themselves when the big one hits."