[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF BETTY BOYER

                                 ______


                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 28, 1996

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Betty 
Boyer, a legend in Illinois journalism who is retiring this month. In 
1966, she started her own newspaper, the Coles County Daily Times, in 
Charleston, IL, because she was not satisfied with the quality of local 
news reporting. You can imagine what the reaction was to such an 
enterprise at that time. Despite her detractors, Betty not only 
survived, but thrived, and in the process raised the standard for news 
coverage in the area. I would like to congratulate her on a 
distinguished career, and also thank her for her contributions to the 
quality of life in the 19th District.
  Betty started her journalism career working for the other paper in 
town, The Courier-News. After a couple of years with the Times, Betty 
purchased the competition, and in 1969 formed the Times-Courier. She 
sold the paper to Howard Publications in 1972, but remained there to 
run the show, same as before. Perhaps Betty's most extraordinary 
quality is her diverse character. Regarded by all as sweet-natured, she 
is a loving wife and mother of three, and also has six grandchildren. 
She is equally known for her tough stances in dealing with city 
officials who objected to her straight-ahead style of journalism. Add 
to that the talented and professional staff who worked for her, many of 
whom moved on to larger arenas, that still consider her a magnificent 
boss, if not a surrogate mother. The stories of Betty desperately 
seeking bank loans or saving the paper supply from a flooded basement 
have joined a canon that encompasses a career of over 30 years. In 
addition to her journalistic accomplishments, Betty was named the 
``Outstanding Citizen'' in 1982 by the Charleston Area Chamber of 
Commerce and has been a patron of the local arts.
  Mr. Speaker, conventional wisdom says that you cannot believe 
everything you read. Regular readers of the Times-Courier beg to 
differ. Thankfully, the quality Betty has worked so hard to achieve 
will be with us for a long time. It has been an honor to represent 
Betty Boyer in the U.S. Congress, I wish her every happiness as she 
enters this new stage of her life.

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