[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to honor and 
congratulate the Polk County Enterprise on their centennial 
anniversary, which they are celebrating throughout this year. The Polk 
County Enterprise has been a faithful banner of news and source of 
record for generations of residents in East Texas. From a humble 
founding by young entrepreneur Will West in the fall of 1904 the Polk 
County Enterprise and its parent company Polk County Publishing has 
grown to a circulation of over 60,000 including seven weekly and bi-
weekly newspapers, three shoppers, and two job-printing operations.
  Throughout its 100 year history, the paper has had only 16 
publishers. Mr. Alvin Holley, the current publisher of the Polk County 
Enterprise has served in his post for the last thirty years--the 
longest of any publisher at the Enterprise. I am pleased to report he 
has no plans to retire anytime soon.
  Mr. Holley got his start in the newspaper business as a paperboy for 
the Corsicana Daily Sun. The papers sold for a nickel each, Holley's 
profit was two cents per paper. That may not seem like much by today's 
standards--but back then a movie show cost only nine cents.
  Mr. Holley stayed in the newspaper business--and after high school 
worked in the newspaper's business office and occasionally was assigned 
news stories. He was named the advertising manager in 1963 and served 
there until 1972 when he took a position with the Polk County 
Enterprise. Two short years later, Holley bought the Enterprise and 
remains its publisher to this day.
  Mr. Holley credits his paper's success to the employees that keep the 
presses running. In a recent interview, Holley estimated that the 
combined years of service of current employees exceeds 430 years and 
that the average length of service is 14 years. That says a lot.
  The men and women of the Polk County Enterprise and Polk County 
Publishing Company not only love what they do for a living, but also 
obviously love their community.
  From the days of Linotype to today's high speed desk top computers, 
the Polk County Enterprise has covered all of the happenings in East 
Texas.
  With a loyal staff and publisher who is just as likely to be caught 
working at the news desk or delivery bays as he is his private office--
I am confident the Enterprise has many more exciting years in store.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation's hometown community newspapers have been the 
trusted source of news Americans have depended on since our nation's 
earliest beginnings. The Polk County Enterprise has a proud legacy and 
it is an honor to represent the communities they serve in the U.S. 
House of Representatives. I urge you to join me in congratulating the 
Polk County Enterprise on their 100th anniversary.




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