[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING VIDA EL VALLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce an article by 
the Fresno Bee entitled ``McClatchy's bilingual weekly honored again.'' 
This article speaks of the achievements and past honors of Vida en el 
Valle, the Central Valley's primary bilingual newspaper.
  Vida en el Valle, the bilingual weekly owned by The Fresno Bee's 
parent company, McClatchy Co., was named the nation's outstanding 
newspaper in its category for the fourth time in seven years during the 
11th annual Hispanic Print Awards sponsored by the National Association 
of Hispanic Publications.
  Vida en el Valle also received six other first-place awards for 
editorial excellence, four second-place awards and four honorable 
mentions. The newspaper was judged the Outstanding Bilingual Weekly for 
the third consecutive year by the nation's largest Latino newspaper 
organization. Vida en el Valle is the only newspaper that has won the 
award for three consecutive years.
  John Esparza, Vida editor and publisher, said the newspaper won its 
latest honors at the association's weekend convention. Vida competes 
among larger bilingual newspapers in the association.
  Only the daily newspaper El Nuevo, published by the Miami Herald, and 
the Los Angeles weekly publication Vida Nueva won more first-place 
awards than Vida, Esparza said. The category for larger publications is 
based on annual budget.
  Vida also took first-place honors for: ``Outstanding color photo,'' 
by former photographer Tommy Monreal, who left the newspaper to work on 
a master's degree, ``Outstanding color photo essay,'' by Monreal, 
``Outstanding political and economics reporting,'' by reporter Maria 
Machuca, about the citizenship process, ``Outstanding entertainment 
column,'' by Andrew Landeros about comedian Carlos Mencia, 
``Outstanding entertainment section '' and ``Outstanding sports 
section.'' ``This is the most first-place awards we've ever won,'' 
Esparza said. ``We want quality news coverage for our readers and for 
the Latino community. This shows we are on the right path.''
  Mr. Speaker, Vida en el Valle has served a vital role in the Central 
Valley. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Vida en el 
Valle, and wishing them many years of continued success.

                          ____________________