[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   RETIREMENT OF WILLIAM A. HILLIARD

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a tribute 
to one of the leading editors in American journalism who hails from the 
State of Oregon.
  William A. Hilliard will retire this spring as editor of the 
Oregonian after a distinguished career spanning more than 42 years. A 
man known for his commitment to his work and his community, Mr. 
Hilliard long ago established a reputation that symbolized the highest 
standards of his profession.
  Mr. Hilliard rose from the ranks at the Oregonian through diligence, 
determination, and hard work. His story is one of diligence, 
determination, and hard work. His story is one of pioneering. He 
started as a copy aid in 1952 and rose to become the Oregonian's top 
editor in 1982, with overall supervision over both news and editorial 
divisions. He was the first black employee in the Oregonian's news 
department, the first black city editor of a major daily, one of only a 
handful of black editors of a large metropolitan newspaper, and now the 
first black officer of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
  Ironically, as a boy he had been denied a delivery route for the 
Oregonian in his predominately white neighborhood. One of his college 
professors once told him that he had no future in newspapers because of 
his color. But he was determined to change things. He studied at the 
University of Oregon, the premier journalism school in the Northwest, 
and later transferred to Pacific University, where he served as editor 
of the school's newspaper and graduated with honors.
  Despite his brilliant college career, Mr. Hilliard could not get a 
job with a mainstream newspaper so he started his own--the Portland 
Challenger. Eventually, he was offered a position as a copyboy at the 
Oregonian. He never looked back from there.
  As a reporter, he typified the track of many young journalists, 
moving through the ranks and working his way up the ladder through 
perseverance. He spent a year in sports and moved to the cityside desk 
in 1954, covering police, politics, and city hall. His first big story 
was the Holt Korean Babylift in 1956. When he was named city editor in 
1971 it was considered national news, warranting an article in Time 
magazine.
  As city editor, Mr. Hilliard presided over the Oregonian's coverage 
of a contentious period in our Nation's history; the Vietnam war, 
antiwar protests, and race riots. During this time, the Oregonian 
started regular coverage of civil rights issues, poverty, and race 
relations.
  When beset by obstacles that would have defeated many people, Mr. 
Hilliard confronted them and pushed ahead with hard work.
  A headline from an American Society of Newspaper Editors Bulletin 
story written by Jud Randall, a retired assistant to Mr. Hilliard and 
veteran journalist, put it aptly: ``ASNE's Next President Is Known for 
Pushing Quiet--But Persistent Change.''
  Under Mr. Hilliard's direction, the Oregonian has moved into the 
mainstream of the new electronic publishing era, redesigned its pages, 
and received numerous State and regional awards for its coverage.
  Mr. Hilliard's diplomatic grace, caring nature, and commitment to 
progressive social change has made a big difference not only in Oregon, 
but in the Pacific Northwest, the American news industry, and the 
Nation as a whole.
  He was once described by the late Robert C. Maynard, former editor 
and publisher of the Oakland Tribune, as ``a legend to many journalists 
of color'' and a ``beacon of encouragement'' to young journalists of 
all races and colors. Indeed, he was in the same league with journalism 
pioneers like Maynard for he helped pave the way and launch the careers 
of countless young reporters and editors.
  I have known Mr. Hilliard for many years and pushed for him to be 
appointed as one of four panelists at the nationally televised 
Presidential debates between President Jimmy Carter and then-candidate 
Ronald Reagan in 1980. While we may not have always agreed on the 
editorial direction of the Oregonian, you could always depend on Bill 
Hilliard to instill a sense of fairness in his work. I congratulate him 
and wish him well in his newest endeavor.

                          ____________________