[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 63 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E785-E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SUN-REPORTER NEWS JOURNAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the Sun-
Reporter, one of this country's most respected African American 
newspapers, on the occasion of their 60th anniversary. The Sun-Reporter 
serves as an indispensable voice for the African American community in 
the San Francisco Bay Area and across the Nation.
  The Sun-Reporter was founded in 1944 at a time when African Americans 
were relocating to the Bay Area in large numbers to work in the wartime 
shipyards. Founded by Thomas C. Fleming, a brilliant journalist, the 
paper

[[Page E786]]

originated as The Reporter, but soon merged with the Sun-Reporter, a 
paper acquired in a poker game by Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett, Fleming's 
longtime friend and a significant drum major for justice. Thus, the 
Sun-Reporter was born, with Goodlett as the paper's Editor and 
Publisher, Dr. Dan Collins as Co-Publisher, and Fleming as Managing 
Editor. In 1951, Dr. Goodlett became the sole publisher.
  Under the leadership of Dr. Goodlett and Mr. Fleming, the Sun-
Reporter became a vital source of news and an editorial voice for the 
Bay Area's African American community. Over time, it developed a 
reputation as one of this country's preeminent African American 
newspapers.
  The paper has taken strong editorial stands against racism, 
segregation, war, and the unequal treatment of African Americans and 
other groups that have experienced systemic prejudice and 
discrimination. It has actively fought for civil rights, fair 
employment and housing law, and global peace.
  The paper has taken courageous positions on a wide range of issues. 
It relentlessly challenged school segregation; it denounced Senator 
Joseph McCarthy's assault on civil liberties in the days of the cold 
war; and, as a result of its publicity, the Sun-Reporter was largely 
responsible for bringing Paul Robeson to San Francisco for a concert at 
the Third Baptist Church when he was barred from appearing in all other 
venues.
  The Sun-Reporter has been a focal point for the African-American 
community in the Bay Area. It has been host to visits from many 
luminaries, including Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Dick Gregory, and 
numerous civil rights activists.
  Many young and talented journalists who got their start at the Sun-
Reporter have gone on to successful careers in journalism, including 
Lance Gilmore, Edith Austin, Belva Davis, Valerie Coleman, and many 
more.
  In 1997, Amelia Ashley-Ward succeeded Dr. Goodlett as the paper's 
Publisher. Ms. Ashley-Ward, an award-winning journalist and 
photojournalist, has continually raised the Sun-Reporters' standard of 
excellence, and it remains an important and valued source of news and 
editorials for the Bay Area's African American community.
  I take great pride in honoring the Sun-Reporter today for its 
excellence in journalism and for its unyielding pursuit of equality and 
justice for African Americans everywhere. We are grateful to have such 
a fine newspaper in the Bay Area, and look forward to many more years 
of success.

                          ____________________