[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 173 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FOUR DOMES FOR JIM KLURFELD

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                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2007

  Mr. ISRAEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give James Klurfeld four 
domes as he departs as the editorial page editor of Newsday and becomes 
a journalism professor at Stony Brook University. As a Member of this 
House for 7 years, Madam Speaker, I have often found myself in 
frightening circumstances. I have participated in corkscrew landings in 
Baghdad; I have been whisked in high-security motorcades through 
Islamabad; I have discussed energy policy with President Bush. But 
nothing, Madam Speaker, is more jarring, more intimidating, more 
perilous than an interview with Jim Klurfeld or waking up on the 
morning that Newsday publishes its infamous ``Dome Ratings'' of the 
Long Island Congressional Delegation.
  Let me share with my colleagues an example of Jim Klurfeld's high 
standards. When I originally ran for this House in 2000, I coveted 
Newsday's endorsement. For days I prepared for the endorsement 
interview. In fact, I hadn't had as much ``fun'' since preparing for my 
SAT exams in eleventh grade. Finally, I sat down with Jim and his 
editorial board. One hour and the loss of three pounds of perspiration 
later, I left. As my campaign manager and I walked through the Newsday 
parking lot, I asked him: ``How do you think it went?'' His response: 
``We should have told Mr. Klurfeld that you're running for Congress, 
not President.''
  In fact, Madam Speaker, Jim Klurfeld's expectations were always high, 
his questions always probing, his depth great. He is a politician's 
worst nightmare: unspinnable and always a step ahead.
  His departure from Newsday won't exactly let the Members of the Long 
Island Delegation sleep better at night. We will still stay awake in 
fear of those notorious domes and dreading those endorsements.
  Nor will his departure change the basic premise of the relationship I 
have with him. I never mind disagreeing with Jim Klurfeld. I just hope 
never to disappoint him.
  I know many of my colleagues in Congress who have known and read Jim 
Klurfeld wish him well as a journalism professor. He will indeed forge 
a new generation of excellence in journalism, just as his father set a 
standard of excellence that Jim put on the pages of Newsday for so many 
years.

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