[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 79 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HERALD-CITIZEN

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 2, 2003

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th year of 
existence of The Herald-Citizen of Cookeville, Tennessee, an integral 
part of the community and a reliable source of news for Putnam County 
and the Upper Cumberland region.
  The first edition of this Middle Tennessee newspaper was published on 
February 11, 1903, by Elmer Wirt and his son, Ralph. During the next 
century, this newspaper kept Cookeville well-informed and evolved into 
an award-winning daily publication. From a small town of barely 600 
people in 1903 to a thriving Upper Cumberland community of about 25,000 
residents today, Cookeville has depended on The Herald-Citizen for 
unbiased news coverage.
  Many changes have occurred at the newspaper during the past century. 
As the community grew and prospered, so did The Herald Citizen. Elmer 
Wirt and his son printed the first edition on a small flatbed press 
that sat on top of a table, with the type set by hand. C. Lee Walls Sr. 
and his son, C. Lee Walls Jr., now print the newspaper on a modern, 
computerized press weighing many tons.
  Although many changes have occurred at the newspaper and to the 
community, one thing remains certain: The Herald-Citizen's commitment 
to fair and honest news coverage. Cookeville and the surrounding 
communities of Putnam County have benefitted tremendously from the hard 
work and dedication of the newspaper and its employees over the years. 
I congratulate the newspaper's success and am sure the next 100 years 
of publication will be just as exciting and rewarding as the first 100 
years.

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