[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WE WON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH WE MISS THE NEWS & MESSENGER UNTIL IT IS GONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I share the pain of the many 
Prince William County residents and activists who are mourning the loss 
of the News & Messenger.
   For the first time in 143 years, the Prince William community will 
no longer have a daily ``newspaper of record'' to document the births, 
deaths, and daily comings and goings of life in this vibrant county of 
nearly half-a-million people.
   A community newspaper serves many roles for its readers. It is a 
necessary watchdog on local government. Its pages chronicle the 
triumphs and defeats of a community and its citizens. Its opinion pages 
reflect the varied views of county residents on issues of concern. It 
showcases the exploits of generations of high school athletes and 
awards bestowed on student scholars. And it provides a portal for local 
businesses to advertise their wares and services and local 
organizations to promote their activities.
   No longer will the people of Prince William have a daily newspaper 
they can turn to and find out what happened at the previous night's 
Board of Supervisors, planning commission, or school board meetings. No 
longer will reporters localize the actions of the Congress or the White 
House so their readers understand how national policies and legislation 
will affect the county and its citizens. And no longer will proud 
parents be able to clip a story or photo about their child's game-
winning goal, touchdown, or homerun and paste it in a scrapbook for the 
next generation to enjoy.
   The News & Messenger, and the Potomac News and the Manassas Journal 
Messenger before it, have served a vital role in Prince William County 
for generations. Over the decades, the paper's reporters and editors 
made it their business to become experts on their Prince William 
community, its government, and its characters. They've had the unique 
role of digging deep into the fabric of their community and reporting 
what they saw in an unfiltered manner and without interference.
   Since Prince William voters elected me to Congress, I've had the 
pleasure of dealing with the News & Messenger and Potomac News 
reporters and editors on many issues, and the honor of winning the 
endorsement of the paper's editorial board. I can say, unequivocally, 
that the staff of the News and Messenger were professionals in every 
sense of the word and they've made lasting contributions to the 
community they have served.
   To Keith Walker, Aleks Dolzenko, Kari Pugh, Kip Hanley, Amanda 
Stewart, and all of the other staff members, past and present, who gave 
life and breath to the News & Messenger, I say thank you for a job well 
done. I also wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
   As the News & Messenger's 143-year run draws to a close, I join with 
Prince William residents in bidding farewell to this venerable 
publication. The newspaper will be missed, and most of us won't realize 
how much we miss it until it's gone.

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