[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE NEVADA NEWSPAPER HALL OF FAME

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the newest members of 
the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame. This month, the Nevada Press 
Association inducted Frank, Tony, and Ted Hughes into the Hall of Fame 
for their contributions to journalism in Nevada.
  For more than 75 years, the Mineral County Independent News has 
provided the small town of Hawthorne with valuable news and information 
about their community. For more than 50 of those 75 years, the Hughes 
brothers have used their skill for journalism and hometown pride to 
make the Independent News thrive.
  Each of the Hughes brothers started at the Independent News at an 
early age. Tony Hughes was a paperboy. He would later sweep floors and 
fold papers on the weekends. Soon after his graduation from high 
school, Tony was hired full time.
  While Tony was the first member of the Hughes family to join the 
paper, his brothers would soon follow. Frank and Ted Hughes joined Tony 
to help run the printing presses, sell advertisements and shoot 
photographs. Today, the brothers manage the day-to-day operations of 
the Independent News, and each is responsible for writing stories and 
reporting on the Community.
  As I have expressed, the Independent News is a true family business. 
The paper has a total of four employees. Frank, Tony, and Ted are 
helped by Heidi Bunch, a receptionist who manages the office.
  In an age of large media conglomerates and corporate news, it is 
refreshing to get the local community angle from the Independent News. 
Every Thursday, the residents of Hawthorne look to the Independent News 
to read about community events at local churches, the American Legion, 
and Schurz Elementary. Subscribers can also read about the local 
Serpents' football or basketball game as well as view important 
announcements about the Mineral County school system.
  One of the most interesting features to me, though, is the paper's 
``Reflections on the Past.'' There you can view a summary of the events 
in Hawthorne from 20,50, and even 70 years ago. It is an amazing 
collection of Northern Nevada's rich culture and history.
  All of this success is a direct result of the Hughes family. Without 
their hard work and dedication, this local paper might not be in 
existence today. I am pleased that Tony, Frank, and Ted Hughes have 
been recognized for their excellence in journalism, and I am proud to 
have the opportunity to pay tribute to them before the Senate today. I 
look forward to continuing to read the Independent News for years to 
come.

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