[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2496-E2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER, AN EXTRAORDINARY CITIZEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I stand today to recognize the career and 
contributions of a longtime friend and newspaperman in Maryland's Fifth 
Congressional District, John Rouse, the editor of the Bowie Blade News.
  For 36 years, the citizens of the City of Bowie, Prince George's 
County, and the State of Maryland have benefited from John's skill as 
an editor, insight as a writer, and dedication to the community that he 
has served for so long.
  Many in Bowie recognize John by his long association with the 
Editor's View column he writes for the paper. Through this column and 
other writings, John has earned distinction for his thoughtful, 
objective style of journalism that has helped drive the Bowie Blade-
News to significant acclaim.
  After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam era, John joined 
the Bowie News as editor in 1971 and became the editor and general 
manager of the new Bowie-Blade News in 1978 when the Bowie News merged 
with the Bowie Blade.
  Madam Speaker, under John's leadership, the Bowie-Blade News has 
earned numerous recognitions, among them the Newspaper of the Year 
award in 1999 from the SEQ Chapter of the Maryland-Delaware-District of 
Columbia Press Association. The paper has also won the Best in Show 
award for several investigative pieces over the years as well as awards 
for newspaper design.
  John has earned several accolades of his own for his individual 
achievements in the news industry, including first place awards for his 
Editor's View column. He has been a longtime member of the Society of 
Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi). John is also a lifetime 
member of both the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.
  During John's 36 years in Bowie, he has remained resolute in his 
commitment to truth and fairness as guiding journalistic principles. 
John has served as an effective watchdog of the public interest in his 
community, and for that alone, he should be lauded.
  Among John's most admirable qualities is his keen sense of humor. 
Although sometimes the target of that humor, I recognize that John is 
an equal opportunity satirist who adeptly uses the power of the 
writer's pen to make sound and insightful observations. And while John 
and I have sometimes fallen on different sides of a debate, we have 
grown to be friends over the years, and hold each other in high mutual 
respect and esteem.
  After all, Madam Speaker, we have both witnessed the City of Bowie's 
evolution into the vibrant and diverse community that John is proud to 
call home, and I am proud to represent in Congress. All the while, John 
has maintained an innate ability to keep his finger firmly pressed on 
the pulse of the community, knowing better than most what makes Bowie 
such a great place to work and live.
  As a resident of Bowie, John has served with countless community 
organizations and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Bowie 
YMCA. For his work in the community, John has been honored by a number 
of civic groups, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Commemorative Committee of Bowie, the Bowie Civic Affairs Committee, 
and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
  Madam Speaker, John's career is significant not only in years and 
accomplishments, but also for the impact he has had in the City of 
Bowie. For three and a half decades, he has dedicated himself to 
working for the interests of his fellow Bowie residents and the good of 
the community. In recognition of his retirement as editor of the Bowie 
Blade-News and a public life filled with distinction, I ask my 
colleagues to join with me in offering him our

[[Page E2497]]

congratulations and wishing him the very best in his retirement.

                          ____________________