[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6943-S6944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KENTUCKY NEW ERA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, it is with great pride that I pay 
tribute to a long-standing community institution in southwestern 
Kentucky. The Kentucky New Era newspaper recently marked 150 years of 
quality journalism and community engagement, and I would like to take a 
moment today to review the paper's distinguished history and celebrate 
its many achievements.
  Prominent Kentucky newsman Chip Hutcheson, whom I am proud to call a 
dear friend, spent years working for the New Era, and he summed up the 
reason it has thrived for so long. Chip recalled a paper-wide culture 
of writing ``columns that cemented readers' relationships to the writer 
and the paper.'' I think it is that commitment to readers and to what 
matters in their lives and community that has helped make the New Era 
the oldest business in Hopkinsville, KY.
  Since the paper was launched as a weekly publication in the winter of 
1869, the New Era has certainly undergone some change to solidify its 
relationship with readers. To meet a demand for local, State, and 
national news, the New Era added a daily issue, and delivered the news 
and commentary its subscribers wanted to read. Part of that frequent 
change during the early years came in the form of different owners, but 
in 1873, Hunter Wood took charge, and his family would steer the New 
Era as majority owners for the following 130-plus years.
  Under their direction, the paper covered a wide range of issues 
affecting life in Christian County. From politics to agriculture, mixed 
with lighter community-interest pieces and extensive coverage of high 
school sports, the New Era has served as a important source of 
information for its readers. Its staff

[[Page S6944]]

would attract several award-winning journalists, including my friend 
Mary D. Ferguson, who held a high standard on its pages.
  Adapting to changing markets, the New Era expanded its operations. To 
serve the nearby U.S. Army installation, the paper's media group began 
publishing the Fort Campbell Courier. Other respected local papers, 
including the Princeton Times Leader, the Providence Journal 
Enterprise, and Dawson Springs Progress, joined the New Era's 
organization to further stretch the reach of its community journalism. 
In whatever form subscribers want to receive their news--in print, 
online, or even listening to a podcast--the New Era is committed to 
reporting on the stories that must be told.
  Just last year, the paper joined another well-respected Kentucky news 
institution, the Paxton Media Group. With this partnership, the 
Kentucky New Era has the ability to continue thriving into the future. 
Through the years, I have enjoyed reading the paper and speaking with 
its top-tier professionals, and I look forward to many more 
accomplishments to come.
  It is a privilege to congratulate the Kentucky New Era on its 
celebration of 150 years of journalistic success, and I hope my Senate 
colleagues will join me in saluting this community institution on its 
anniversary. I would like to extend my best wishes to the reporters, 
editors, and staff who have made the New Era a vital resource in west 
Kentucky.

                          ____________________