[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING BERNARD L. STEIN, WINNER OF THE 1998 PULITZER PRIZE FOR 
                    DISTINGUISHED EDITORIAL WRITING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a person whom I am 
proud to call a constituent and a personal friend. Mr. Bernard L. 
(Buddy) Stein, a journalist of uncommon merit and character, has 
recently been recognized by his peers in the media through his receipt 
of 1998 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished editorial writing. This great 
honor truly befits the accomplishments of Bernard Stein and his 
editorial expertise and skill.
  Bernard's list of accomplishments is nearly as diverse and 
extraordinary as the man himself. Writing weekly editorials for the 
Riverdale Press, a publication widely known for its excellence in 
reporting, Bernard informs his readers on a variety of subjects of both 
national and local interest. His areas of special concern include such 
prudent matters as school overcrowding and the preservation and 
enhancement of the Riverdale community. Bernard is a man committed to 
the betterment of not only his community, but the rights of every 
person worldwide.
  In 1989, the offices of the Riverdale Press were bombarded by arson; 
a fire set in reaction to Mr. Stein's highly controversial editorial 
defending the right to purchase and read Salman Rushdie's novel, 
Satanic Verses. Today, Mr. Stein continues his campaign for the 
preservation of those most sacred rights of free speech and freedom of 
the press. On the anniversary of the aforementioned incident ad the 
death sentence against Mr. Rushdie, a photograph of Bernard holding a 
banner supporting free speech and freedom of the press appears in the 
Riverdale Press.
  This most recent recognition of Bernard's outstanding and distinctive 
journalistic talent, the Pulitzer Prize, reflects the author's unique 
ability to write with uncommon grace and almost lyrical composition, 
yet convey with a distinct and unparalleled intensity a most thoughtful 
and engaging editorial. Recognition for one's talents and achievements 
all too frequently goes unacknowledged. Yet, today we have an 
opportunity to celebrate a grand acknowledgement of a most 
distinguished member of the Riverdale and world community, Mr. Bernard 
Stein. I encourage my colleagues to join the people of Riverdale and 
the Bronx in acknowledging and congratulating Mr. Stein on his most 
exceptional honor, the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished editorial 
writing.

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