[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TALBOTT RETIRES: 4TH ESTATE SUFFERS LOSS

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                        HON. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, this week, a ``-30-'' will be placed on 
Basil Talbott's journalism career when he retires from the Chicago Sun-
Times. For Chicago's newspaper readers, journalists and politicians, 
the loss is significant. Three decades of irreplaceable journalistic 
experienced guided each of his stories. He had covered the Triple Crown 
of Chicago journalism--Chicago politics, Springfield's State House and 
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.--for one of the nation's largest daily 
newspapers. Basil's forceful personality and zeal for news enabled him 
to find ways to plow through the obstacles to the information he 
needed. He combined tenacity with directness and integrity, qualities 
that caused Congressmen to view him with a little trepidation and a lot 
of respect. Few answered lightly when greeted by Talbott's trademark: 
``What's up?''
  Few reporters were less susceptible to the wiles of spinmeisters than 
Basil Talbott. He could trample a thin story idea with a single, 
devastating question. Like the best reporters, he was always skeptical, 
never cynical. Congressmen looking for high-calorie, low-substance puff 
pieces should look elsewhere; Basil put the interests of his readers 
first. As a former philosophy student at one of the nation's top 
universities, the University of Chicago, he was well-acquainted with 
Greek and Roman thought. But Basil Talbott's news judgment seemed 
guided by the more modern philosophy of Yogi Berra: ``If it ain't 
interesting, it ain't interesting.'' Officials who had the smarts and 
will to make news found Basil with a ready pen.
  Because of his wide experience, his stories got to the heart of the 
matter. He was always fair, always offered a chance to make a full 
case. His precise questioning could quickly expose a thin understanding 
of an issue or coax unexpected, intriguing details; in fact, 
transcripts of Basil Talbott interviews could serve as models for 
would-be cross-examiners.
  Taken as a whole, the thousands of stories he filed in his career 
would make a small mountain. Anyone who understands the deadlines, 
knowledge, the source-work and the scrappiness that went into compiling 
that small mountain could only call it a substantial achievement.
  Basil Talbott made a sustained commitment to compiling the first-
draft of Chicago's recent history. His contribution to helping 
Chicagoans understand their city and their colorful politicians 
deserves commendation from this Congress. As Basil hits the send key on 
a 30-plus year career in journalism, we should lament the loss to 
Chicago's Fourth Estate, salute his fine example and wish him well in 
his quest to put a good lead on the next phase of his life.

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