[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1765-E1766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO SPEAKIN' OUT WEEKLY NEWS

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2005

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Speakin' Out 
Weekly News on its twenty-fifth anniversary.
  Speakin' Out is published in my Congressional District and has become 
the longest running African-American owned newspaper in North Alabama 
and the Tennessee Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, the story behind Speakin' Out is an inspiration to 
entrepreneurs in Alabama and across the country. In 1980, my friend 
William Smothers published the first issue of Speakin' Out. It was 
published on his kitchen table in the City of Decatur with a meager 
budget of $800.
  Speakin' Out quickly grew from its humble beginnings. It soon moved 
out of the kitchen

[[Page E1766]]

and into its first office located on the corner of Lee and Bank Street 
in Decatur, changing its format from a magazine to a tabloid newspaper.
  In 1983, Speakin' Out News merged with The Weekly News, published by 
Professor L.C. Jamar, Sr., and changed the company name to Speakin' Out 
Weekly News. Following the merger, Speakin' Out Weekly News relocated 
its office to Huntsville, Ala. The format was again changed from a 
tabloid to a broad sheet newspaper and remains so today.
  From its inception, Speakin' Out covered politics, the arts, 
business, and health issues. The editorial content was geared toward 
the African American community. Its unique opinions and balanced 
reporting has helped attract a large subscriber base. In fact, the 
newspaper currently boasts a weekly readership in excess of 80,000.
  Furthermore, Speakin' Out has established itself as a community 
partner in North Alabama. It hosts and sponsors numerous events each 
year. Speakin' Out has also established the North Alabama Journalism 
Center, its non-profit entity, serving as an educational and 
professional haven for students with an interest in communications. The 
center collaborates with surrounding colleges and universities to 
provide a venue for students to gain practical instruction. The center 
also offers an after school tutorial program, Starting Smarter, for 
students K-12.
  Mr. Speaker, Speakin' Out Weekly News has given a voice to African-
Americans in my community and has established itself as a reliable 
source of community events, news, and opinions. I appreciate the 
publication's impartial reporting, the hard work of its reporters, and 
its strong commitment to our community.
  Mr. Speaker, over the weekend of August 13th and 14th, Speakin' Out 
held a community wide celebration in honor of its silver anniversary. I 
rise today to join them in their celebration and to congratulate them 
on this exciting milestone.

                          ____________________