[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1304-E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTHAMPTON PRESS NEWSPAPER ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Southampton Press, the venerable community newspaper of Southampton, 
Long Island that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
  Since it's first edition in 1897, the Southampton Press has 
exemplified the finest traditions of American community journalism, 
providing Southampton residents with superlative coverage of local 
news, the arts, agriculture, business, and editorial analysis. Devoting 
itself fully towards serving the communities it covers, the Southampton 
Press has earned the highest regard of its readers and peers because it 
so faithfully maintains the highest journalistic ideals.
  It was one of Long Island's most prominent publishers, Walter R. 
Burling, who founded the Southampton Press, naming his son, George, as 
editor and producing the inaugural issue on May 29, 1897. A newspaper 
veteran, Walter Burling founded and operated both the Sea-Side Times, 
of Southampton, and the East Hampton Star, a well-respected paper still 
in publication. Through 1971, the Burling family name was associated 
with the Southampton Press, until it was purchased by Donald Loucheim, 
who today publishes the paper in conjunction with his son, Joe.
  The editors and writers at the Southampton Press have built a proud 
tradition of excellence, as evidenced by the dozens of awards and 
honors from the New York Press Association. In diverse categories from 
best editorial to spot news, coverage of the environment, education and 
advertising excellence, the staff at the Southampton Press has garnered 
the kudos of its journalistic peers.
  The Southampton Press today has a higher circulation--as verified by 
the Audit Bureau of Circulation--than any other weekly or daily 
newspaper in the region. The Southampton Press now publishes two 
editions, each tailored to communities on either side of the Shinnecock 
Canal that divides the town of Southampton in two.
  In recognition of the Southampton Press' role in the heritage of the 
town, the Southampton Colonial Society opened a special exhibition on 
the newspaper's history at the Southampton Historical Museum. The 
exhibit captures the newspaper's unique role in Southampton's history 
by tying its press coverage to objects and artifacts from the museum's 
collection.

[[Page E1305]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in saluting the Southampton Press on its 100th anniversary. In 
doing so, we also recognize the vital role that community newspapers 
serve in the civic realm, providing their readers with the news and 
analysis they need as citizens of America's participatory democracy. 
Congratulations, Southampton Press.

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