[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 2017

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the Washington Informer 
Newspaper Co. Inc. for its 53 years of service in the District of 
Columbia metropolitan area.
  The Washington Informer Newspaper Co. Inc. (Washington Informer), a 
multimedia organization, was founded on October 16, 1964, by Dr. Calvin 
Rolark, who was assisted by his wife, the late Attorney Wilhelmina 
Rolark, who served on the Council of the District of Columbia for 16 
years representing Ward 8 residents. Both recognized the need to 
identify and highlight the achievements and contributions of African 
Americans in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.
  The Washington Informer's award-winning newspaper has a tradition of 
tackling key issues that impact the African American community in the 
District, including financial literacy, homeownership and 
sustainability. Since 1994, the paper has been published by Denise 
Rolark Barnes, Dr. Calvin Rolark's daughter. Today, the Washington 
Informer has an average of 50,000 weekly readers and more than 7,500 
weekly email newsletter subscribers.
  The Washington Informer is a member of several associations as well, 
including the National Newspaper Publishers Association, where Denise 
Rolark Barnes serves as chair. In addition, the organization sponsors 
an annual spelling bee for District children in grades three through 
eight, and an African American Heritage Tour and an annual Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. Holiday Peace Walk and Parade. The Washington Informer 
also provides internship opportunities for high school and college 
students interested in pursuing careers in journalism and media through 
its charitable organization, Washington Informer Charities.
  Therefore, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
recognizing the Washington Informer, its founders and its current 
publisher for their 53 years of service to the District of Columbia 
metropolitan area and for continuously upholding the Washington 
Informer's mission, to educate, empower and inform through the 
production of quality news content that focuses on African Americans 
and particularly their positive contributions to the communities in 
which they live and work.

                          ____________________