[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 33 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E255-E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN MEMORY OF THEODORE ``TED'' TALBERT AND HIS LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO 
                JOURNALISM IN THE GREATER DETROIT REGION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and work of Theodore Talbert, a renowned journalist, historian and 
proud Detroiter. Known to the Greater Detroit community simply as Ted, 
his documentaries brought history to life and inspired future 
journalists and leaders alike.
  Born and raised in Detroit, Ted displayed early signs of excellence, 
graduating from Northern High School in 1961 as his class 
valedictorian. Ted attended Mount San Antonio College in California and 
it was early in the 1970s when he began to fully explore his passion 
for journalism, creating the first of his documentaries.
  Over the proceeding decades of his journalism career, Ted worked for 
several of the local television stations in Southeast Michigan, 
although most of his time was with local NBC affiliate WDIV. Throughout 
the course of his career, Ted produced more than twenty documentaries 
that highlighted every aspect of the community that he loved so dearly. 
In his films, he showcased the unique heritage of Detroit, from his 
documentaries on Joe Louis and the Tuskegee Airmen to his story on the 
African American officers of the Detroit Police Department in the 
1800s. Many in the Southeast Michigan community credit Ted with 
providing a unique perspective on the social, economic and political 
issues that have shaped our region, offering insights that inspired the 
community into action.
  In addition to his work as a journalist, Ted dedicated his time to 
guiding, shaping and molding the next generation of young journalists. 
Ted lectured at a number of colleges including the University of 
Missouri, as well as Wayne State University and Wayne County

[[Page E256]]

Community College, both of which are in Detroit. Through his lectures, 
he shared his passion and his experiences, in the hope of inspiring 
future generations to explore their history and to better understand 
the world in which they live.
  In recognition of his outstanding journalistic work, Ted was 
presented with a number of awards over his life. These awards include 
four Emmys for his documentaries and a Meritorious Achievement Award 
from the Tuskegee Airmen. Additionally, Ted was presented an 
Achievement of Merit Award from the Ohio State University. And in 
acknowledgement of the depth of his impact on the community, Ted was 
inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2000. However, no 
award is greater than the testimonials provided by countless leaders, 
community members and organizations across Greater Detroit, who agree 
that our region is stronger because of Ted's work.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 
life of Ted Talbert, who had an undeniable impact on all of us in 
Southeast Michigan. Through his documentaries, we have been able to 
better understand the history of our community and how we can work 
together to build a bright and prosperous future for our region. His 
straightforward, yet complex, perspective and passion for his 
community, which he never hesitated to share, will be missed by all of 
us who grew up watching his films and news stories. I know Ted's life 
will be an inspiration to young journalists for many years to come and 
I hope his sister, Edna Bell, and his daughter, Jamile Skinner, know 
that all of us in the Greater Detroit region share in their loss.

                          ____________________