[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E822-E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     REMEMBERING BILL TATUM IN THE PAGES OF THE NEW YORK CARIB NEWS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 31, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to submit a New York CARIB 
News tribute to the late Wilbert Bill Tatum, honoring the journalistic 
heavyweight for his commitment to his craft, his community, and to 
social justice and equality. He passed away in late February, ending a 
decades-long tenure as the owner, chairman, and publisher of the 
Amsterdam News--a premier and pioneering Black newspaper in the heart 
of Harlem. He wielded his pen as a sword, holding public servants' feet 
to the fire and rarely mincing his words in pursuit of truth. A 
philanthropist of formidable character and impassioned conviction, 
Tatum lent a powerful voice to the African American community through 
his words and his inspiration. The following article--``Wilbert Tatum 
Remembered,'' published on March 17 and written by Victoria Horsford--
details the legacy of the great Bill Tatum.

                        Wilbert Tatum Remembered

       Wilbert Bill Tatum, Amsterdam News Chairman/CEO and 
     publisher emeritus died, a long way from home, on February 26 
     in Croatia. The ultimate Fourth Estater, Bill Tatum was equal 
     parts race relations maven, humanist, entrepreneur, and 
     warrior. He left a legacy of integrity and passion in 
     journalism.
       Tatum was a face in the proactive Harlem crowd for almost 
     four decades, which predates the $2.3 million purchase of the 
     Amsterdam News in 1971, by him, Percy Sutton and other 
     business associates. In 1983, Tatum assumes full control of 
     the paper. By 1996, Tatum bought out all of his AmNews 
     partners, became the sole owner and Begins the Tatum Era. 
     Founded on December 4, 1909, the Amsterdam News emerged as 
     one of the most important Black newspapers in the U.S. on par 
     with the Pittsburgh Courier, The Afro-American, and The 
     Chicago Defender. Tatum kept burnishing the paper's image 
     while keeping a watchful eye as events unfolded of special 
     interest to the Amsterdam News readers.
       Tatum's editorials railed against inequities vis-a-vis the 
     Black community re: housing, employment, term limits, the 
     NYPD, immigration. No one nor organizations was off limits to 
     the acidic Tatum editorial. He relished a good fight taking 
     on mayors and local corrupt community leaders, businessmen 
     and untoward clergy. For years, he ran acid-tinged ``Mayor Ed 
     Koch must go'' editorials. In the 90s, he began a long run of 
     ``Mayor Rudy Giuliani must go'' editorials. He allocated 
     equal editorial space to unsung community heroes and 
     contributed regularly to scores of charities.
       Tatum was one of a few publishers who believed in the 
     innocence of the young Black men convicted in the racially 
     marred Central Park jogger rape case. He was best when he was 
     opinionated and tapping into instincts. The AmNews had taken 
     on a new life during his watch. It was the World According to 
     Bill Tatum. And what a delightfully, crazy, unpredictable, 
     diabolical, lovable, plot-rich moral world it was. He ceded 
     control of the paper to his daughter Elinor in 1997. Last 
     Friday, 2/27 during a NY1 TV interview, Elinor said ``My dad 
     loved the Amsterdam News,'' she added. ``He was born in North 
     Carolina, was one of 13 children, a descendant of 
     sharecroppers whose granddad started a newspaper. He wanted 
     to make this world a better place for people who looked like 
     him.'' A Lincoln University and Occidental College alum, 
     Tatum had a master's degree in Urban Studies.
       The following are remembrances of Bill Tatum. Governor 
     David Paterson reflects on Tatum ``as a decent person who 
     stood out amongst the giants of NYC for his commitment to 
     justice and social equality.'' Mayor Michael Bloomberg 
     intones. ``The paper was really heard across the city...and 
     on many occasions, around the world. He covered issues of 
     concern to African Americans in ways that other media 
     opportunities they might not otherwise have had. He was a 
     real character in the nicest sense of the word!'' NYC 
     Comptroller Bill Thompson says. ``Bill was a pioneer in 
     publishing...who always stood up for causes he believed in 
     and spoke out against injustice and highlighted issues too 
     often forgotten and ignored. Bill always let you know when he 
     disagreed with you in a genuine forthrightness,'' Manhattan 
     Borough President Scott Stringer says. ``NY lost one of our 
     great citizens. . . . Bill wore many hats at the Amsterdam 
     and its success is due to his dedication and vision.''
       Reverend Al Sharpton remembers. ``Bill Tatum was an iconic 
     and vitally important figure in both journalism and civil 
     rights. We have lost a great advocate, a penetrating writer 
     and unmatchable institution builder and for me a great friend 
     and father figure.''
       Survived by his wife Susan and his daughter Elinor, Bill 
     Tatum's wake was held on Thursday, March 5, at the Provenzano 
     Lanzo Funeral Home at 43 Second Avenue. His funeral was held 
     Friday, March 6 at 10 am at Harlem's Riverside Church at 490 
     RSD, near 120 Street.
       The family requests that you make donations to the 
     Amsterdam News Educational Foundation, 34 East Third Street, 
     NYC 10003.

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