[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO ITALIAN TRIBUNE

                                 ______


                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 1994

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as the Italian Tribune marks its 85th 
anniversary, I rise today to recognize the important role that this 
newspaper has played in the lives of Italian-Americans in Michigan.
  The Italian Tribune has covered events and achievements in the 
Italian community since 1909, and continues to serve as a vital link 
among Italian communities today. As the newspaper has evolved over the 
years to serve a changing readership, two things have remained 
constant: The paper has stayed in the hands of the family who founded 
it 85 years ago, and that family is still committed to helping Italian-
Americans maintain their heritage.
  Ed and Marlene Baker run today's Italian Tribune from a modern 
facility in Warren, MI, and their weekly edition reaches about 350,000 
Americans of Italian descent in Michigan. The Italian Tribune is the 
only Italian-American newspaper in Michigan, and the second-largest in 
the Nation. It is unique among ethnic publications because it combines 
articles in Italian and English--seven of its pages are written in 
English, and five in Italian.
  Originally christened El Tribuno del Popolo, the Italian Tribune was 
founded by Mr. Baker's grandfather, Vincent Giuliano. Mr. Giuliano came 
to the United States at the age of 21, and followed the family of his 
future wife, Maria, to Chicago. There, he began his Italian paper to 
help his fellow workers from Italy better deal with the problems they 
faced in America.
  Based only on his marvelous reputation, leaders of the growing 
Italian community in Michigan asked Mr. Giuliano to come to Michigan. 
Mr. Giuliano steered the paper's editorial and business affairs through 
the difficult years of the Depression. Throughout those dark days, he 
kept the doors of the paper open out of concern for the welfare of his 
employees. In the early days of the paper, Maria Giuliano was the 
principal writer, turning out news stories and also informing new 
immigrants about citizenship and learning English. The Italian Tribune 
reported on the Italian community under the direction of the Giulianos 
until 1962, when Mr. Giuliano passed away, and his grandson, Ed Baker, 
took over the paper.
  The Bakers have run the Italian Tribune as a family ever since. As 
with his grandparents, Mr. Baker oversees finances and his wife, 
Marlene, covers the news and keeps up with Italian organizations in 
Michigan. Their daughter, Marilyn Kammer, is managing editor of the 
paper. The Italian Tribune is still successfully serving an Italian 
community that may be further removed than past generations from its 
cultural heritage. The longevity of the Italian Tribune is a testament 
to the ongoing commitment of the Giuliano and Baker families to 
maintaining that heritage. Mr. Speaker, I salute the Italian Tribune 
and the people behind it as they celebrate 85 years as the voice of 
Italian-Americans in Michigan. I wish them as much and more success for 
the next 85 years.

                          ____________________