[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THE CHALLENGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2003

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to pay tribute and 
officially recognize the Fortieth Anniversary of The Challenger 
Newspaper in Buffalo, New York, which I am proud to say is part of the 
Twenty-seventh Congressional District of the State of New York.
  On April 11, 1963, the first edition of The Challenger was published, 
serving primarily Buffalo's African-American community. That same year, 
the Civil Rights Movement reached a critical, historic moment. During 
The Challenger's inaugural year, Freedom Fighter Medgar Evers was 
murdered, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama 
was bombed by White Supremacists, killing four innocent children, and 
the legendary Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his momentous 
``I have a Dream'' speech at the March on Washington.
  Founded by Mr. Calvin Kimbrough, the late Mr. John Moore and the 
Honorable Arthur O. Eve, The Challenger went on to become ``the voice'' 
of Buffalo's Black community. These trailblazers fought to provide 
Buffalo's African-American community with the ability to determine for 
itself how they would be portrayed in the media. The Challenger 
continues to serve our community by asking the tough questions, 
challenging the establishment, providing world news as it relates to 
the Black Community, promoting African and African-American culture and 
history, and ensuring that the positive contributions of African-
Americans, too often ignored by others, are appropriately reported and 
celebrated. Indeed, The Challenger has become a Buffalo institution, no 
less important than our historic neighborhoods, parks, buildings, and 
other treasures.
  Forty years later, the proud tradition of The Challenger continues 
under the exceptional leadership of Ms. Al-Nisa Banks. She has served 
as Editor and Publisher for twenty-four years, and has guided The 
Challenger to its current position as one of our nation's finest 
newspapers through her visionary leadership and commitment to our 
community.
  As Members of Congress, we pause to honor and recognize those brave 
individuals and institutions who helped our nation find its way during 
some of our darkest moments. The Challenger stands proudly amongst that 
group as a champion of justice and a light toward a better way, and we 
are forever in its debt.
  Mr. Speaker, today I join with The Challenger Staff, the City of 
Buffalo, and indeed, our entire Western New York community in special 
recognition and celebration of The Challenger on this historic 
Anniversary. We all wish them continued success and prosperity.




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