[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S3024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING ANNE PERSHING

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, today we honor the life and 
legacy of Anne Pershing, whose passing signifies a great loss to 
Nevada. I send my condolences and prayers to her family and friends 
during this time of difficulty. Ms. Pershing was an upstanding Nevadan, 
committed to bringing journalistic excellence to the Fallon community. 
She will be sorely missed by the entire Nevada family.
  Ms. Pershing was raised in Bushnell, IL, and moved to the Silver 
State over 30 years ago. She received her bachelor's degree in speech 
communications, in addition to studying journalism, at the University 
of Nevada, Reno, UNR. In 1983, she started her professional career 
working for the Lahontan Valley News as a general assignment reporter. 
By 1987, she had successfully climbed the ladder and was chosen to 
serve as editor of the newspaper and, later, as general manager.
  During her tenure, Ms. Pershing went above and beyond in her role to 
become acquainted with the city of Fallon and its residents, embodying 
what it means to be a true community journalist. Throughout the late 
1990s, Ms. Pershing and her team covered the child leukemia cluster 
that greatly affected the local community, gaining national attention 
for her work on the breaking story. Ms. Pershing and her team were 
later recognized for their efforts by being nominated for the Pulitzer 
Prize in Public Service and were honored in 2002 with an Associated 
Press Public Service Award. Ms. Pershing stands as a role model to the 
Nevada journalism community with her commendable and reliable 
reporting. We will always remember her resilient spirit in shining 
light on issues important to our State.
  In 2004, Ms. Pershing moved on to work for the Star Press, a small 
weekly newspaper in Fallon, and after this newspaper ceased 
publication, she continued writing as a contributing columnist for the 
publication at the School of Medicine at UNR. In 2008, she was inducted 
into the Nevada Press Association Hall of Fame for all of her efforts. 
Ms. Pershing spent her final journalistic years writing in her weekly 
newspaper column about the most important issues affecting Nevada's 
senior population. Throughout her decades of service to Nevada 
journalism, Ms. Pershing demonstrated unwavering dedication to bringing 
Nevadans truthful and insightful news coverage. She was truly one-of-a-
kind in her endeavors to support her local community. Her legacy of 
kindness, loyalty, and drive will echo on for years to come.
  For over 30 years, Ms. Pershing served as a tremendous contributor to 
Nevada journalism. Her commitment to the Silver State will never be 
forgotten. Today I join the Fallon community and citizens of the Silver 
State to celebrate the life of an honorable Nevadan, Ms. Anne 
Pershing.

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