[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 141 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF 90 YEARS OF TOLEDO BLADE OWNERSHIP BY THE BLOCK 
                                 FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 2016

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, ninety years ago, Paul Block, Sr. took charge 
of the Toledo Blade and the Block family has led the esteemed daily 
ever since. The Blade has been an institution of Northwest Ohio since 
1835, but the steady guiding hand of the Blocks has led the newspaper 
to new heights over the past nine decades.
   The Toledo Blade has resided at the same location since shortly 
after Block Sr. purchased the downtown Toledo site in 1927 for $4.5 
million. The day the building opened, Calvin Coolidge pressed a gold 
key from Washington to start the new presses. Throughout the ups and 
downs in the city and region, the Blade has been there to report the 
news and keep its readers informed.
   The success of the Blade would not be possible without the support 
and vision of the Block family. They have led the paper through 
revolutionary advancements in how the news is reported and distributed. 
That includes using technology like the Internet and social media to 
spread the stories of the day.
   The current leadership of John Robinson Block as Publisher and 
Editor-in-Chief of the Blade and Allan Block as Chairman of Block 
Communications has served the paper well into the 21st century as the 
daily still boasts a circulation of 120,000 readers. Along with print 
editions, readership is at an all-time high with countless others 
consuming the news through the website, apps, and on other platforms.
   Mr. Speaker, ninety years of media leadership from one family is 
very admirable, and it should be celebrated. I'd like to recognize the 
Block family for their leadership of a great Ohio institution, the 
Toledo Blade.

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