[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. JOHN FOREMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RODNEY DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 3, 2018

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my 
colleague Rep. Shimkus, to honor John Foreman, longtime editor of the 
News-Gazette who tragically passed away over the weekend.
  John graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1970 and first 
joined the newspaper after graduating from the University of Illinois 
in 1977. He was a part-time weekend reporter, and eventually made his 
way to editor-in-chief by 1986. In 2003, John was made publisher of his 
hometown newspaper.
  John loved everything about working at the News-Gazette. He loved 
local journalism and knew better than anyone the importance of the 
relationship between a community and its newspaper. To many, he 
embodied the spirit of everything the News-Gazette stands for.
  John was widely-respected in his career as an established journalist 
and a fierce advocate for the freedom of the press. He dedicated his 
professional life to protecting this First Amendment right and held 
several leadership roles in organizations like the Illinois Press 
Association, the Illinois Associated Press Editors, Mid-America Press 
Institute and many more. He was the first recipient of the James C. 
Craven Award for Freedom of the Press from the Illinois Press 
Association and he was also named Illinois Journalist of the Year in 
2006.
  He was both a mentor and friend to us, and many at the News-Gazette, 
and his absence will not go unnoticed.
  We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Sharon, his News-
Gazette family and all those who knew John. He was a valued member of 
the Champaign-Urbana community and will be truly missed.

                          ____________________