[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REX THATCHER: PUBLISHER, LEADER, GENTLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, our lives are influenced by many factors. 
Few equal the daily and life-long power that is provided by our 
newspapers. And the ability of a newspaper to sway, to promote 
meaningful dialogue, and to keep us informed of matters of local, 
national, and international significance is directly related to the 
individual at the helm of a ship that usually has diverse and sometimes 
conflicting purposes. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to 
read the Saginaw News have since 1990 benefitted from the skilled, 
impartial direction of its publisher, Rex Thatcher, who is about to 
retire from a stellar career of keeping the public informed.
  For nearly thirty-five years, Rex Thatcher has motivated the people 
of Michigan, starting at the Jackson Citizen Patriot, where he was 
heavily involved in advertising and marketing efforts. He then came to 
the Bay City Times as manager in 1973, and then served as publisher 
from 1983 to 1990 when he became publisher of the Saginaw News.
  Throughout his career, he has not just observed what was happening in 
the community, he directly participated in a number of memorable 
projects. He was a key leader in efforts to revitalize the Bay City 
downtown area. In Saginaw, he is a founding member of the Bridge Center 
for Racial Harmony. He has continued his personal interest in community 
development with the Saginaw Valley Economic Forum. Rex has also 
provided strong leadership for our young people, especially with his 
efforts for youths at risk.
  His membership on the board of Directors of the Michigan Press 
Association extends his influence on journalistic standards throughout 
the state. His position on the selection committee of the Michigan 
Journalism Hall of Fame helps to ensure that responsible and credible 
reporting will be recognized by his professional peers.
  It has been my personal pleasure to know Rex Thatcher, and his 
wonderful wife of forty six years, Yvonne. The importance that Rex 
places on his family, including his grandchildren, is a key 
demonstration of an individual who not only endorses a style of life, 
but actually pursues it.
  Rex Thatcher has been appropriately generous in his praise of the 
fine men and women who are part of the Saginaw News family. We all 
expect that his influence will continue to show in their work. Perhaps 
he will now have the time to pursue his love for the outdoors, 
especially fly fishing, and greater opportunities to let his 
grandchildren know just how special their grandfather is. Mr. Speaker, 
I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me in wishing Rex Thatcher 
the very best in his retirement.

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