[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         TO HONOR THE NATIONAL HISPANIC JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2001

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring my 
colleagues' attention to an exciting event that is occurring in my 
district for the first time ever. On June 20-23, 1,500 members of the 
National Association of Hispanic Journalists will gather in the Valley 
of the Sun for the group's 19th Annual Convention: Our Time is Now, 
Imagenes Y Voces de Nuestro Tiempo.
  I'm proud that my district will be the site where hundreds of 
Hispanic journalists and media professionals will converge to continue 
to promote the mission of this organization dedicated to the 
recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news 
industry. NAHJ endeavors to increase the number of Hispanic journalists 
in print, broadcast and new media industries. The organization works to 
improve coverage of Hispanic communities so they are accurately 
portrayed in the news. The annual convention gives members the 
opportunity to be revitalized by workshop issues on industry trends and 
ideas that affect careers and the way news is covered. It also gives 
members the chance to network, train and encourage journalists of the 
future.
  Some of you may be aware that NAHJ has been a leader in improving the 
quality of journalism as it is now practiced in the United States. 
Organizations such as NAHJ have been instrumental in assuring that the 
media accurately reflect the communities they serve, not only through 
the hiring of diverse personnel, but through their news coverage. 
Therefore, NAHJ has been a significant force in assuring that media are 
practicing good and better quality journalism.
  Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified 
vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ is governed by a 16-member 
board of directors that consists of executive officers and regional 
directors who represent geographic areas of the United States and the 
Caribbean. The national office is located in the National Press 
Building in Washington, D.C.
  NAHJ has approximately 1,500 members, including working journalists, 
journalism students, other media-related professionals and academic 
scholars. In addition to employment and career development, NAHJ works 
to organize and provide mutual support for Hispanic journalists in 
English, Spanish and bilingual media; encourage the study and practice 
of journalism and mass communication by Hispanics; promote fair 
treatment of Hispanics by the news media; and foster greater 
understanding of the culture, interests and concerns of Hispanic 
journalists.
  Besides the national convention and career expo, the organization has 
dozens of exciting projects and programs, which include mid-career and 
professional development programs, an online job bank, journalism 
awards, internship and fellowship listings, student journalism 
workshops, a newsletter and scholarships.
  As you can see, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists is a 
strong professional organization that has provided genuine leadership 
and continues to advocate for Hispanics in the news industry. I 
congratulate NAHJ on the occasion of its 19th Annual Conference, and I 
ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing them a successful event 
and best wishes for the future.

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