[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EDITOR DAN WARNER RETIRES AFTER 44 YEARS IN THE NEWS BUSINESS

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                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 1999

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to one of the 
nation's finest newspaper editors, Dan Warner, who is retiring after 44 
years in the news business and 27 years as Editor of The Eagle-Tribune, 
in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Under the leadership of publishers Irving 
E. Rogers Jr., who passed away last year, and Irving E. ``Chip'' Rogers 
Ill, who is steering the business into the new millennium, Dan has 
guided one of the last independent, local, family-owned newspapers in 
America through a period of unprecedented growth, change and success.
  As editor and in his Sunday columns, Dan was always a tireless 
advocate for Eagle-Tribune readers, the community and the people and 
institutions of the Merrimack Valley. He believed in the intrinsic 
value of factual reporting and its ability to provoke and inspire 
readers to get more involved in their community. He created an ethic 
among reporters that their solemn duty to both readers and subjects was 
to cover the news fairly and aggressively and always to present the 
human dimension of a story. Dan also was a pioneer in the use of bright 
colors, bold graphics and innovative design to deliver the news in a 
more attractive and reader-friendly package. He leaves his successor, 
Steve Lambert, a publication that has been recognized as one of the 
best regional newspapers in the United States.
  Under Dan Warner's stewardship, The Eagle-Tribune received the 
highest honor in journalism, the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for general news 
reporting for its probe of the Massachusetts prison furlough program. 
He also led the newspaper to be honored twice as a Pulitzer Prize 
finalist for exposing corrupation in international hockey and telling 
the story of the tragic fire that nearly destroyed Malden Mills in the 
heart of Lawrence's poorest neighborhood, and the heroic effort to 
rebuild the business. Dan also guided The Eagle-Tribune to 11 awards as 
New England Newspaper of the Year and scores of prizes for exemplary 
reporting, photography, commentary, design and public service.
  Born and raised in Ohio, Dan adopted the Merrimack Valley as his home 
30 years ago and displays the love and caring for the region of a 
native born citizen. He is a devoted friend and dedicated family man. 
Even when he disagrees with you, as I have experienced more than once, 
Dan always gives you a fair hearing to present your point of view.
  Mr. Speaker, Dan Warner is a man who prodded leaders of government, 
industry and community to do better, and always remembered that the 
people he spoke for did not always have a voice in the corridors of 
power. On behalf of the people of the Merrimack Valley, I wish him a 
happy retirement with his wife, Janet, his two children and his beloved 
little dog, Rewrite.

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