[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1890-E1891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SALUTING THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SUN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in 
saluting the San Fernando Valley (SFV) Sun, an important local 
newspaper in my congressional district.
  On October 25, 2004, the Sun will celebrate its 100th anniversary. 
The Press--precursor to the Sun--was the San Fernando Valley's first 
newspaper and is the oldest continually published newspaper in the 
Valley. Throughout its history, the publishers have been committed to 
serving the local needs of its readers and advertisers.

[[Page E1891]]

  Since 1904, the Sun changed names several times and altered its size 
and publishing schedule, but it has always been located in the City of 
San Fernando, the birthplace of the Valley. Also, it has always 
remained dedicated to informed, thoughtful and fair coverage of the 
issues most relevant to the lives of the residents of the northeast 
SFV. As the population of the San Fernando Valley grew--and more of its 
readers were Spanish-speaking, the newspaper began to publish a Spanish 
language insert, named El Sol.
  During the last century, the Sun has been an integral part of the 
history of the San Fernando Valley. In 1911, it actively advocated for 
San Fernando city-hood. Irrespective of the various owners, the Sun has 
continued the high journalism standards and moral philosophy set forth 
by the original owner, Herbert W. Brooks. Since 2001, the new owners--
Severyn and Martha Diaz Aszkenazy--have maintained these exemplary 
standards. They wisely brought in Diana Martinez (formally with KFWB 
and LA Media) to direct the editorial content. The staff won the ``Best 
Investigative News'' Award from New California Media in 2003 and 
recognition of its news service to the community from the University of 
Southern California in 2004.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me today in 
paying tribute to everyone associated with the San Fernando Sun on this 
important anniversary. We wish owners, management and staff of the 
newspaper 100 more years of success.

                          ____________________