[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6730-S6731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



               Recognizing the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, I come to the floor with the senior 
Senator from Arkansas, Mr. Boozman, to celebrate a great anniversary.
  Two hundred years ago this week, the very first newspaper in Arkansas 
was published. It was called the Arkansas Gazette. We know it today as 
the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. It is the oldest paper west of the 
Mississippi, an institution in our State, and a credit to the many 
outstanding journalists who have made it possible over two centuries.
  From its first issue, the Arkansas Gazette was a pioneering 
newspaper, published by a young man named William Woodruff who crossed 
the mighty Mississippi into brandnew territory, dragging behind him a 
wooden printing press and other tools of the trade.
  The Gazette was first published out of a log cabin in the territorial 
capital, Arkansas Post. It reflected the bold aspirations of American 
settlers moving West to fulfill our manifest destiny on the continent, 
and it reflected these landlocked settlers' keen awareness that events 
far beyond out little plot of soil could shape their lives in dramatic 
ways.
  The first story in the very first edition reported on a Navy 
expedition to open the Pacific Northwest for American traders. It 
speculated with excitement about the prosperity that would flow to our 
Nation as Americans followed Lewis and Clark west across the country. 
``The plan may appear visionary,'' the Gazette remarked, ``but that 
which is now speculation will . . . shortly become a fact, and this 
country will be enriched by the overflowings of its benefit.''
  As the Arkansas Territory grew, Arkansas's newspaper grew with it. 
Woodruff moved the paper from Arkansas Post to Little Rock in 1821, 
where it would continue to be published for the next 198 years with few 
exceptions, such as a devastating fire in the 1850s and military 
occupation during the Civil War.
  Just as Arkansas kept its rough-hewn, pioneer character, so too did 
Arkansas's newspaper, whose staff were involved in not one but two gun 
battles, including the last recorded duel in Arkansas history--between, 
I am compelled to report, the owners of the Gazette and its upstart 
competitor, the Democrat.
  If William Woodruff was the founding father of the Democrat-Gazette, 
John Netherland Heiskell was its Lincoln, bringing the paper 
triumphantly into maturity. Heiskell became editor in 1902 and served 
in that position for an incredible 70 years until his passing in 1972. 
The one interruption in Heiskell's remarkable tenure came in 1913, when 
the Governor selected him to serve as a U.S. Senator after the death of 
a sitting Senator. He only served in this body for 23 days before a 
successor was elected, and then he hurried back to Little Rock and to 
the Gazette because the news waits for no man.
  Over the next half-century, the Gazette established itself as a 
world-class newspaper. It was during this period that the Gazette took 
a bold stand for truth in the finest tradition of journalism by 
declaring its support for desegregation well ahead of the pack in 1957. 
The Gazette and its editorial writer, Harry Ashmore, covered the 
turmoil surrounding Little Rock's integration with decency and 
firmness, insisting that Arkansas fulfill its obligation to all our 
citizens on an equal basis, without regard to race. This editorial 
crusade lost more than a few subscriptions, but it won the Gazette two 
Pulitzer Prizes ``for demonstrating,'' in the words of the Pulitzer 
committee, ``the highest qualities of civic leadership, journalistic 
responsibility, and moral courage.'' And so the Arkansas Gazette 
entered the modern era as a famous and award-winning publication.
  In 1991, after years known as ``the newspaper wars,'' the Gazette's 
old rival, the Democrat, bought the paper and created what we now know 
as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Fortunately, I hasten to add, no 
duels were needed this time around. Now, the Democrat-Gazette is again 
changing with the times through the capable

[[Page S6731]]

leadership of Walter Hussman, his family, and David Bailey, the 
managing editor. This time, the paper is transforming for the digital 
era, moving from paper to screen, and it is even giving away free iPads 
to subscribers to ease the transition. So if you are not already a 
subscriber, consider supporting our local journalism in Arkansas. It 
has a bright future ahead.
  Today, unfortunately, many venerable newspaper have fallen on hard 
times. Too many journalists can't be bothered to get the story right. 
Too many local communities are losing parts of their identity, which is 
all the more reason to celebrate newspapers like the Democrat-Gazette, 
which do get the story right and have preserved their distinctive 
character throughout the years.
  Some things may change. The Democrat-Gazette of the future may be 
heralded by the bright glow of the screen rather than the rustle of the 
news page. But other, more important things stay the same, such as 
integrity, impartiality, and credibility. The Democrat-Gazette holds 
its reporters to the highest standards of accuracy and ethics.
  Walter Hussman publishes these high standards that won the Gazette 
two Pulitzer Prizes every day on page 2 of the newspaper in its 
statement of core values. That statement reads:

       Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium and 
     impartiality is the greatest source of credibility.

  The Democrat-Gazette practices what it preaches, and for that reason, 
it continues to succeed 200 years on.
  There is also its Arkansas focus. As ever, the Democrat-Gazette 
earnestly pursues stories in Arkansas for the benefit of Arkansans. It 
is this proud local focus which has made the Democrat-Gazette a beloved 
institution in Arkansas and which will sustain it in the years ahead. 
Finally, the pioneer spirit--from the Arkansas Territory to the 
frontiers of digital journalism, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will 
travel confidently into the future.
  Today, I join Senator Boozman in congratulating the Hussman family, 
the Democrat-Gazette, and all of their many hard-working professionals 
and journalists.
  I yield the floor to my colleague, the senior Senator from Arkansas.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, it is a pleasure to be with my friend 
and colleague from Arkansas to talk about a tremendous State 
institution, something that is truly a true Arkansas institution, and 
we want to pay tribute to it and the men and women who made it great in 
the past and will continue to make it great into the future.
  Newspapers have played a vital role in our country's history of 
public discourse, increasing our knowledge and awareness about what 
takes place all around us. The stories they print keep us informed, 
while building a sense of community and regional identity. Newspapers 
drive political debates and set the agenda, helping us make sense of 
the issues impacting our world.
  As one of the oldest continuously published newspapers west of the 
Mississippi, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has been a resource of 
information that has kept readers connected to community, the State, 
and our Nation for 200 years.
  In 1819, William E. Woodruff published the first edition of the 
Arkansas Gazette, the Arkansas Territory's first newspaper. There was 
no shortage of news to print in those days. During its early years, the 
publication encouraged settlement to the region, shared news of 
national importance, and promoted statehood.
  For generations, this publication has been a primary source of 
reliable and comprehensive news that has shaped the way Arkansans view 
the world. It has constantly challenged the status quo and examined the 
decisions of elected leaders, while pursuing transparency and 
accountability.
  The work the Gazette produced often resulted in positive change in 
the Natural State. In 1957, the newspaper opposed Governor Orval 
Faubus's decision to prevent integration of Little Rock Central High 
School. For its reporting on the struggles of integration, the Gazette 
earned two Pulitzer Prizes, one for meritorious public service and the 
other awarded to its executive editor, Harry Ashmore, for editorial 
writing, marking the first time a newspaper won two Pulitzer Prizes in 
the same year.
  The newspaper and its spirited competitor, the Arkansas Democrat, 
contended for readers and advertisers for decades. In 1991, the Gazette 
was sold to the owners of the Arkansas Democrat, who then launched the 
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which is the only statewide newspaper 
Arkansans read today.
  The importance of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in today's media 
landscape cannot be overstated. In some cases, it is the sole source of 
news for many small towns in Arkansas, as local newspapers continue to 
cease operations, especially those serving rural areas.
  Under the leadership of Walter Hussman, Jr., the Democrat-Gazette is 
navigating the challenging industry landscape and creating 
opportunities to keep readers informed by keeping costs manageable. 
Hussman and his team are rethinking how and what news they deliver to 
readers, as well as how subscribers can and like to consume it.
  To cut printing and transportation costs and combat declining 
advertisement revenue, the paper is now using iPads to maintain 
subscribers and continue providing this valuable, not-easily-replaced 
service to the community.
  In an interview earlier this year about efforts at the Democrat-
Gazette, Hussman noted his view that the print model is not 
sustainable, but he voiced his commitment to finding a solution that 
will fill the void because, as he says, society and our democracy will 
be impeded if we don't have newspapers.
  It is a simple truth. Throughout periods of change, Hussman and the 
newspaper he owns continue to believe in the critical role that news 
gathering and reporting play in informing the public.
  Every day, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the other publications 
owned by the Hussman family publish a statement of core values that 
include ``objectivity, impartiality, integrity and truth-seeking.'' 
This clear, sensible mantra consistently helps guide the work done by 
the reporters and editors in the paper's newsrooms.
  Journalism is a pillar of our democracy. Our Founders understood the 
importance of a free press and included protections in the First 
Amendment that safeguard and ensure the ability of reporters and the 
publications they write for to hold the powerful to account.
  Earlier this year, I was proud to support the World Press Freedom Day 
resolution and recognize the sacrifices journalists around the world 
make in their effort to report the truth.
  We must continue to promote a free and open press in the United 
States and around the globe. In today's climate, we all share 
responsibility for acknowledging the value and the necessity of press 
freedom while at the same time not shrinking away from appropriate 
scrutiny and fair criticism. The health and well-being of our society 
and civic life depends on striking the right balance in this regard.
  For 200 years, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has kept individuals 
informed about moments and events of significance in Arkansas, our 
country, and the world. I congratulate the newspaper's leaders and 
staff for pursuing facts and accountability, as they have created and 
sustained the publication as a responsible and reliable source of 
information.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.