[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             JEFFREY BALLOU

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2017

  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize one of my constituents, Jeffrey Ballou, who takes up new 
responsibilities today as the 110th President of the National Press 
Club.
  Jeff is a Pittsburgh native, the son of Geneva and Henry Ballou. He 
grew up in Pittsburgh's Homewood-Brushton neighborhood, and he attended 
Taylor Allderdice High School before going on to earn his undergraduate 
degree in journalism from Penn State University and his graduate degree 
in journalism and public affairs from American University. Jeff is an 
unwavering fan of Pittsburgh's legendary sports teams--the Pirates, the 
Steelers, and the Penguins.
  Jeff started his career in journalism working for CONUS 
Communications covering the White House. He subsequently worked as 
planning editor for Fox Television Channel 5, WTTG, here in Washington, 
DC. He worked at C-SPAN and National Public Radio as well. He's spent 
roughly the last ten years at Al Jazeera Media Network, first as its 
Deputy News Editor and then as Editor of its 24-hour English language 
news channel.
  Throughout his career, Jeff Ballou has demonstrated a strong 
commitment to objective journalism and to improving the profession. He 
served on the Executive Committee of the Radio & Television 
Correspondents Association, for example, and he served as President and 
National Committee Co-Chair of the National Association of Black 
Journalists.
  Finally, he has been actively involved in the National Press Club, 
which proudly claims the title of ``the world's leading professional 
organization for journalists.'' For more than a hundred years, the 
National Press Club has been a prominent organization in the field of 
journalism and an advocate for free press around the world. Jeff has 
been a member of the National Press Club since 1992 and served on its 
board from 2014 to 2015. Jeff was elected to serve as Vice President of 
the organization over the past year, and in recognition of his 
extensive experience in journalism and his proven leadership skills, 
Jeff was elected to serve as the 110th President of the National Press 
Club for the coming year.
  I am confident that Jeff's many years of experience have prepared him 
well for his new responsibilities as President of this storied 
institution. I want to congratulate Jeff on this honor--and new 
opportunity to improve the profession of journalism, and I wish him a 
successful term as the 110th President of the National Press Club.

                          ____________________