[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H1431-H1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1020
                IN RECOGNITION OF MONICA KAUFMAN PEARSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, you will notice that Members 
from Georgia on both sides of the aisle have taken the opportunity this 
morning during Special Orders time to recognize Monica Kaufman.
  We just heard from our colleague, Representative David Scott. I want 
to commend my friend David Scott for organizing this tribute on behalf 
of one great lady.
  I rise today, as well, to recognize Monica Kaufman for her historic 
and outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. Atlanta is sad to 
see her resigning from WSB; but we are very, very proud of her.

[[Page H1432]]

  For the past 37 years, she has brought Atlanta the news, from her 
coverage of the 1996 Olympics, to her famous ``Monica Kaufman's 
Closeups'' of world leaders and celebrities,'' to her award-winning 
work on issues such as the Holocaust and domestic abuse.
  As the first woman and African American news anchor in Atlanta, Ms. 
Kaufman broke both race and gender barriers. She has won more than 30 
Southern and local Southern Regional Emmy Awards for talent, reporting, 
and close-up interviews. Ms. Kaufman has already been named University 
of Georgia's Broadcaster of the Year in 2001 and the Georgia's 
Association of Broadcaster of the Year in 2001 and the Georgia 
Association of Broadcasters 1992 Citizens Broadcaster.
  Madam Speaker, I will always remember, however, one evening in July 
2002--it was actually November of 2002--when I was first running for 
Congress. That election night was a very, very close race. It went deep 
in the night; and finally, at about 11 o'clock, it was news time at 
WSB. Sure enough, I had to go downstairs and get ready to be 
interviewed by Monica Kaufman in regard to my race for Congress.
  At this point, we were behind. All counties except one had reported, 
and I was behind. Monica was very sweet and kind to me. She could tell 
that I was a little nervous and worried and scared. She said, Have you 
picked up your phone yet to congratulate your opponent on your victory? 
I said, Monica, I won't do that until the last vote is counted. Shortly 
after that, I got a phone call telling me congratulations. Finally, 
those precincts came in, and Dr. Gingrey, from the 11th District in 
Georgia, was elected.
  I always remember Monica Kaufman from that night. I ask Members to 
recognize the accomplishments of the great Monica Kaufman.

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