[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 93 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO ROCKY FORD DAILY GAZETTE

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 8, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today and pay 
tribute to the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette and its hard working staff in 
Rocky Ford, Colorado. The Daily Gazette has long been the source of 
local news for the community and year after year has demonstrated 
excellence in reporting. As they celebrate their one-hundredth 
Anniversary, let it be known that it is my pleasure to honor the Daily 
Gazette and their dedicated staff before this body of Congress and this 
nation today.
  The paper was initially started in 1887 by Harry V. Alexander under 
the name of the Rocky Ford Enterprise. In 1904 the name was changed to 
the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette. Reaching its first centennial as the 
Daily Gazette demonstrates the staying power that results from the hard 
work and dedication the staff has shown. Fifty years ago, the Daily 
Gazette changed ownership when Ross and Anne Thompson purchased the 
town's newspaper, and it has remained in the family ever since. They 
have passed the responsibility of managing editor on to their son, J.R. 
Thompson.
   As a result of their hard work and dedication serving the community, 
they have received several honors. Ross and Anne were awarded the 1979 
honor of publisher of the year by the Colorado Press Association. In 
1984, Anne won the Emma McKinney Award for her demonstration of 
distinguished service to the community. The Gazette now serves 
thousands of readers in two counties.
  Mr. Speaker, the staff of the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette have committed 
to the betterment of their community by using the free press to inform 
their fellow citizens. The dissemination of information plays an 
important role in maintaining the tight knit society characteristic of 
our country's smaller towns. I congratulate the Gazette for one-hundred 
years of success and wish its staff all the best in their future 
endeavors.

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