[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 25 (Monday, February 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF RICHMOND FREE PRESS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 13, 2017

  Mr. McEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Richmond Free 
Press, an independent, black-owned, weekly newspaper, that recently 
celebrated their 25th anniversary. The paper was founded by Raymond H. 
Boone, a former Howard University associate professor and reporter who 
tirelessly served as editor and publisher until his death in June 2014.
  The Richmond Free Press serves as a voice for all people and since 
its inception has altered the media landscape of Richmond, the former 
Capital of the Confederacy. Their mission is to, ``provide solid, fair-
minded news stories and informed opinion to empower its readers to 
motivate them to take enlightened action on important issues that touch 
their lives.''
  Positively impacting the community through news stories and 
editorials, the Richmond Free Press is instrumental in providing honest 
coverage that has contributed to a gubernatorial pardon on behalf of a 
man wrongly convicted of a murder charge; and rewriting city code that 
purged unfair gender references leading to the resignation of a 
Richmond judge who posted racist comments on the internet.
  Through the leadership of Mrs. Jean Patterson Boone, advertising 
director and wife of the late founder Raymond Boone, the Richmond Free 
Press is an award-winning publication that has been recognized by the 
Virginia Press Association, the National Newspaper Publishers 
Associations, the NAACP and countless other organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that this recognition come during 
Black History Month, for the Richmond Free Press does not only 
chronical history, it has made history for the last 25 years.

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