[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 31 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO THE DOWNEY EAGLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 18, 2002

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, on March 29, 2002, Barbara and Jerry Andrews 
will suspend publication of The Downey Eagle after nine years. This 
news was greeted with sadness by all those who have admired the paper 
for all these years. Because of the importance of The Downey Eagle to 
the City of Downey and surrounding areas, I wish to pay tribute to the 
Andrews family for their commitment and devotion to their community.
  The Downey Eagle has provided its readers with all of the elements 
that make community newspapers so essential: news from the city 
council, civic groups, community organizations, cultural, educational, 
and arts events, wedding announcements and obituaries, opinion columns 
based on local insights and a lively letters page for the community to 
discuss local opinions and events. All this with wonderful photos which 
accompanied many stories. A publication such as this not only provides 
information, but also helps to promote progress. The Downey Eagle has 
helped build cohesion and a sense of community among its readers.
  Because my wife's father, uncle, and grandfather were all in the 
community newspaper business, I appreciate the difficulties involved 
with getting out a local paper week after week. In addition to the 
sheer physical challenge of producing a first class publication every 
seven days, a publisher must balance the competing interests of various 
and very passionate groups. Making these decisions takes sensitivity 
and both Barbara and Jerry Andrews have been available and responsive 
throughout the publication of The Downey Eagle. They presented balanced 
civic news, people news, and editorial commentary.
  Essential to the success of The Downey Eagle has been its energetic 
and talented editor, John Adams. A veteran newspaperman, who previously 
worked for the San Francisco Chronicle, among other major publications, 
John has been the chief writer, editor, and photographer for the paper. 
He has tirelessly covered thousands of community events, conducted 
similar numbers of follow-up interviews, and produced article after 
article that was fair, accurate, and insightful.
  As the The Downey Eagle ceases to publish later this month, Barbara, 
Jerry, and John can take great pride in all that they have accomplished 
over the past decade. They have set a high standard for what a 
community newspaper can and should be, and they take the grateful 
thanks of all of us as they pursue new challenges.

                          ____________________