[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF GENE FISCHER

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, the job of a news photographer is not an 
easy one. For every picture of a child enjoying building a snow man 
with her parents--there is a picture of a crime scene or a picture of a 
car wreck. Only the photographers themselves truly understand how tough 
this job is, with the long hours and never knowing when or where they 
will have to go to do their job.
  I rise today to honor one of the best news photographers our country 
has--Gene Fischer of the Helena Independent-Record--who retires today 
after 35 years to the day of chronicling the lives of Helenans and 
Montanans on the front page and sports pages of our newspapers.
  My home town is Helena. Gene is the type of hard-working Montanan I 
have in mind when I say that we in public service need to focus on 
every day folks who work hard to make a living and serve their 
community. From his first job stuffing papers for the Billings Gazette 
in 1951, to his promotion to chief photographer for the Independent 
Record in 1974--Gene has kept his nose to the grind stone and worked 
hard.
  He has achieved goals and worked hard to become the best he can be. 
His career and his drive are excellent examples for our children and 
students as they search for their mission and role in their lives.
  It has become a popular thing to criticize the news media these days. 
Whether it be the hype of the O.J. Simpson trial, the goofy scandal-
sheet shows, the Mc-News newspapers or hate-radio talk shows--I myself 
have been critical and remain critical of certain folks in the so-
called news media.
  But Gene Fischer is a newsman like few in the journalism and news 
industry of today. He is solid. He is compassionate. And he understands 
that the picture he takes and the images he publishes are those of his 
neighbors, friends, and family. It is a tough job, and he does it 
fairly and professionally.
  When a Gene Fischer photograph publishes in the Helena Independent 
Record, Gene's name is very small--printed at the very bottom, almost 
unreadable. But in Montana journalism, Gene Fischer is a giant name. 
And I thank him for his years of dedication and service.

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