[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTHWEST DIGEST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Southwest Digest 
for 30 years of service in the Lubbock community. Over the past 30 
years, the Southwest Digest has provided the African American community 
of Lubbock with news and current events. The newspaper has strongly 
advocated for economic and community development and against drugs and 
violence. Its editors have also focused on the special needs of senior 
citizens, young people, and the poor in the community.
  Eddie Richardson and T.J. Patterson co-founded the Southwest Digest 
in 1977. In addition to their work with the newspaper, both men have 
been active in serving the Lubbock community and state of Texas, and 
both also served their country in the U.S. armed forces.
  After working with Texas State Representative Al Edwards for many 
years, Eddie Richardson was appointed by the governor as a commissioner 
on Texas' Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission. T.J. 
Patterson's career in education included teaching in Lubbock and 
serving as Assistant Dean at the Texas Tech College of Business. He was 
also a leader in local government, becoming the first African American 
elected to the Lubbock City Council in 1984. He was named Mayor Pro-Tem 
in 1990 and stepped down from the Lubbock City Council in 2004.
  Under the leadership of Eddie Richardson and T.J. Patterson, the 
Southwest Digest has made many notable contributions to the Lubbock 
area. Some of these include participating in 85 marches against gangs, 
drugs and violence over the years. In 2002, the editors established the 
Southwest Digest Foundation to help support disadvantaged young people. 
Through the years, the Southwest Digest has continued to spread the 
message that drugs and crime should not be tolerated in the Lubbock 
community.
  This newspaper has had a positive impact on Lubbock for the past 30 
years. I congratulate the editors on their work and wish the Southwest 
Digest continued success for many years to come.

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