[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 100 (Monday, June 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   ERNIE MILLS NAMED TOP BROADCASTER

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 19, 1995
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing an outstanding broadcaster from New Mexico who was recently 
named Broadcaster of the Year by the New Mexico Broadcasters 
Association.
  Ernie Mills of Santa Fe is a 46-year veteran of journalism. His 
career began in 1949 at the New York Herald Tribune. After 8 years in 
New York, he headed west to serve as the editor of the Gallup 
Independent. His colleagues in New York told him there was no news in 
New Mexico and that he would be heading back east in no time.
  Mr. Mills, of course, proved his east coast friends wrong and quickly 
proved his worth. In March 1958, producer Mike Todd's plane crashed 
near Gallup. There was considerable interest in the story as Mr. Todd 
was married to film star Elizabeth Taylor. Not only did he file stories 
statewide, but his old paper, the Herald Tribune, led with Mr. Mills' 
story.
  In 1968 and 1969 Mr. Mills made two tours of Vietnam to cover the New 
Mexico troops. He reported back to the troops' hometown radio stations 
and provided combat coverage for two Albuquerque television stations.
  But Mr. Mills' most remarkable work occurred in 1980 during a violent 
uprising at the New Mexico State Penitentiary. Thirty-three inmates 
lost their lives during the riot. Mr. Mills was so well known and 
respected as a reasoned voice in New Mexico that State officials asked 
him to go inside the facility to negotiate with the inmates for the 
release of 15 guard hostages. Throughout the Saturday and Sunday of the 
riot, Mr. Mills repeatedly risked his own life and went inside the 
facility to meet with the inmate negotiators. The negotiations paid off 
as all 15 hostages were released.
  Thanks to his many years covering the State legislature, Mr. Mills is 
a walking encyclopedia of New Mexico political history. He is a great 
resource for a good many people. He is always willing to share his 
knowledge and wisdom whether it is telling a story from the past or 
predicting something in the future.
  He remains as active today as he's ever been--he has a daily radio 
program, a regular television show, and his own newsletter, the Mills 
Capitol Observer. I and many other New Mexicans greatly respect Mr. 
Mills. We know and trust him as a journalist. We care about him as a 
friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and 
honoring this outstanding broadcast journalist who has excelled in his 
profession and has won the adulation and admiration of his peers and 
his listeners. I offer my congratulations to New Mexico's Ernie Mills 
and wish him all the best as he continues to do what he loves best.


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