[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E898-E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO WILBERT ``BILL'' TATUM, RECIPIENT OF THE 2006 ``HUDSON 
                       LINK'S BILL WEBBER AWARD''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a dear friend 
and colleague on the occasion of a very special awards recognition to 
honor him with the Hudson Link's Bill Webber Award.
  Wilbert ``Bill'' Tatum has been an integral part of the fabric of New 
York for many, many years. When I think back on the years of our 
association many thoughts come to mind. Bill is not only an 
intellectual, in the best sense of that word, but a pioneering 
journalist, and entrepreneur who for more than 30 years has guided the 
Amsterdam News, one of the Nation's most important newspapers. In doing 
so, he has dedicated his professional life to informing and defending 
his people, building his community, and fighting to make our country 
better.
  In April 1971, when he. along with Percy Sutton and Clarence Jones. 
acquired the Amsterdam News, Bill Tatum was determined to play a role 
in changing the social climate in New York. By the mid-1970's the 
newspaper took what some called militant positions on civil rights 
issues but by the end of the decade began to focus more broadly on the 
social and economic issues. Under Bill's leadership, the Amsterdam News 
continued to flourish and gained a reputation as an intrepid African 
American voice on controversial local issues.
  Most New Yorkers can remember how tenacious Bill Tatum was when he 
applied pressure on the then New York mayor, Ed Koch. Bill, through the 
newspaper, constantly monitored the activities of city hall and the 
mayor. Holding the mayor's feet to the fire, brought New Yorkers out of 
the polls, and cleared the way for the election of David Dinkins, New 
York's first African American mayor.

[[Page E899]]

  I would like to acknowledge that Bill's daughter, Elinor, continues 
the Amsterdam News' legacy into the 21st century. She has pledged to 
keep the Amsterdam as the unwavering voice the Black community in New 
York.
  Mr. Speaker, again I congratulate my friend Bill Tatum as a much 
deserving recipient of the prestigious ``Hudson Link's Bill Webber 
Award'' as I enter this recognition into the Congressional Record.

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