[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MICHIGAN CITY NEWS DISPATCH 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DAY

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                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson once said of newspapers: 
``The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very 
first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to 
decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or 
newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to 
prefer the latter.''
  Today, June 4th, one of the great papers in the State of Indiana, the 
Michigan City News-Dispatch, marks 60 years of continuous publication 
as a daily newspaper. Formed by the merger of the Michigan City News 
and the Evening Dispatch in 1938, the News-Dispatch has compiled an 
outstanding record of professionalism and public service. Michigan City 
and the State of Indiana are fortunate to have a newspaper that sets 
such a high standard for community service and journalistic competence.
  The News-Dispatch is an exceptional newspaper in a variety of ways. 
Allow me to mention a few examples. First, the dedicated and devoted 
staff of the News-Dispatch produce a newspaper that is consistent in 
the high quality of its content. Even though the newspaper has recently 
changed ownership, the News-Dispatch has retained its reputation as a 
reliable source of the community's daily information.
  Second, the News-Dispatch has been actively involved in and devoted 
to improving the Michigan City community. From the very beginning of 
its publication, the News-Dispatch has successfully pursued projects 
such as helping to rid crime from Michigan City; financially supporting 
area children's groups; and promoting community pride and civic 
participation.
  Third, the News-Dispatch has been devoted to ensuring that local 
businesses receive support from the area. By initiating a successful 
campaign for the development of a municipal airport, voicing the need 
for more trade within the area, and by organizing a developmental 
advisory counsel, the News-Dispatch has not only voiced its concern 
about the livelihood of area businesses, but also taken action to 
ensure that these businesses are able to thrive in the community.
  When Joseph Pulitzer retired, he outlined a standard for newspapers 
that exemplifies the history of the News-Dispatch. ``That it will 
always fight for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or 
corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never lack sympathy 
with the poor, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to 
attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.''
  The residents of the News-Dispatch will mark June 4th with the hope 
and assurance that the newspaper will continue to have a similar impact 
for many years into the future.

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