[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF ROBERT G. McGRUDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor Robert G. McGruder. 
Through grace, intelligence and character he fought for fair reporting 
and justice in the news industry. He was the quiet authority amid the 
frantic newspaper offices in which he worked for almost 40 years.
  Robert G. McGruder's fighting spirit surfaced early on when he 
overcame childhood battles with polio and poverty. He became interested 
in journalism while attending Kent State University when friends 
encouraged him to write for the school's paper. His reporting 
aspirations were not deterred by the setbacks of growing up in a 
segregated society. He learned to gain strength from overcoming 
obstacles. He demonstrated that racial barriers can be broken. Through 
this strong willed optimism, Robert G. McGruder became the first 
African American to hold various positions at the Cleveland Plain 
Dealer and the Detroit Free Press.
  He worked as a reporter for the Plain Dealer before becoming city 
editor in 1978 and managing editor in 1981. In 1986, Neal Shine, the 
longtime Free Press managing editor and publisher, finally succeeded 
after a decade of trying to hire McGruder. McGruder spent 16 years as 
the chief editor of the Free Press where he guided award-winning news 
coverage. Beyond Detroit, he served as president of the Associated 
Press Managing Editors, judged Pulitzer Prize entries five times, and 
served on the board of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
  His pursuit of excellence and monumental work in the cause of 
diversity made him one of the newspaper industry's giants. He cared for 
colleagues, always making time to talk and listen. He urged the 
industry to hire more black, latino, Asian, gay and lesbian employees. 
He was a mentor to those he worked with, many of whom went on to hold 
important positions at newspapers across the country. In 2001, he 
received the John S. Knight Gold Medal, the highest award within Knight 
Ridder, which owns the Free Press. Upon receiving the award, he 
reminded company officials and friends that he represented change and 
that he stands for diversity.
  We ask our colleagues to rise to honor the accomplishments of this 
truly remarkable individual.
  Robert G. McGruder stood for what was best about the news industry. I 
hope his integrity, honesty and deep commitment to fair and accurate 
reporting will remain an example to all.

                          ____________________