[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE TO THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE

                                 ______


                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this occasion to salute the 
Philadelphia Tribune, America's oldest African-American newspaper, on 
the occasion of its 110th anniversary. The paper was founded in 1884 as 
a forum for African-American progress and justice by Christopher James 
Perry, Sr., and continues that mission today under current chairman of 
the board, Walter R. Livingston, and president, Robert W. Bogle.
  The Tribune has a great history of service to the African-American 
community in the Philadelphia area, paving the road for positive change 
to the political and social landscape. In 1929, under the leadership of 
editor E. Washington Rhodes, the Tribune launched a campaign for the 
appointment of a black to the city's board of education, the election 
of a black city council member, and the election of a black judge. In 
1932 these efforts began to bear fruit as Dr. John P. Turner was named 
to the school board where he served with distinction until his death in 
1958.
  In 1934, the Tribune fought, through its news and editorial pages, to 
help bring an end to racial riots in Chester, PA, where movie theaters 
were segregated and where African-American children went to ``for 
colored only'' schools until they reached the 11th grade. In 1937, the 
Tribune joined with the North Philadelphia Civic Betterment League and 
the black veterans organizations to sponsor America's first Clean Block 
Campaign, and in 1947, the Philadelphia Tribune Charities was 
established to assist the community's needy, to foster civic pride and 
betterment, and encourage worthy students through scholarship aid.
  The Philadelphia Tribune has always been blessed with strong, active 
leadership. E. Washington Rhodes, in addition to his duties as 
president of the Tribune from 1922 through 1970, served in a wide 
variety of distinguished positions. In 1926, he was appointed Assistant 
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by President 
Calvin Coolidge. He was the first African-American ever to hold such a 
position. From 1933 to 1935, Rhodes served as president of the National 
Bar Association, the professional association of African-American 
attorneys. In 1938, Rhodes was elected as a State Representative in the 
6th legislative district. As the Tribune's publisher, E. Washington 
Rhodes was in 1962 elected as president of the National Newspaper 
Publisher's Association. Reaffirming the Tribune's continued prominence 
as a national leader in its field, this same position is now held by 
current Tribune president, Robert Bogle, who is serving his second term 
as president of this, the oldest trade association for African-American 
media.
  Mr. Speaker, the Philadelphia Tribune is well into its second century 
of service to the Philadelphia community. I join with the Philadelphia 
community in congratulating the Tribune on its 110 years of history.

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