[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 90 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE GRUNION GAZETTE'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2002

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Grunion 
Gazette for providing Long Beach with an outstanding weekly newspaper 
for 25 years.
  The Grunion, named after Long Beach's famous grunion runs, was 
founded by Tedi and Pat Cantalupo who began publishing the Grunion out 
of their home in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach in 1977. In 1981, 
the Cantalupos sold the Grunion to Fran and John Blowitz who have built 
the paper into what it is today--one of the finest weekly newspapers in 
Southern California.
  The Grunion Gazette has provided its readers with a sense of 
community and cohesiveness through its in-depth reporting on a variety 
of local topics. It keeps its readers well informed with news and 
information from city government, business, education, and the 
community, and provides a calendar of events, wedding announcements, 
obituaries, health and fitness advice, and a dining guide. Its opinion 
columns are based on local insights, along with a lively letters to the 
editor section and the witty commentary of Charlie the dog (aka Jacques 
Warshauer) in ``Charlie's Corner,'' one of the Gazette's longest 
running features. All of this is combined with wonderful photos that 
capture the personality of the area and a website that opens the 
Gazette to readers around the world.
  Fran and John Blowitz can take great pride in all that they have 
accomplished as owners of the Grunion Gazette, and as owners of the 
Downtown Gazette edition that they began 17 years ago. But that is not 
the whole story. Fran and John and their colleagues have also provided 
exceptional volunteer service to our community. They have served on 
numerous boards and committees and have helped to start such traditions 
as the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade. They also created the Gazette's 
Valentines' Date Night that draws thousands of people to the Queen Mary 
and raises more than $50,000 a year for heart programs at Long Beach 
hospitals.
  I salute Fran and John Blowitz, Associate Publisher and Executive 
Editor Harry Saltzgaver, Editor Kurt Helin, and all the fine staff and 
contributors for their commitment to the Grunion Gazette. 
Congratulations for 25 years of setting the highest standard for what a 
community newspaper can and should be.

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