[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1623-E1624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MALCOLM W. APPLEGATE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Malcolm W. Applegate, a titan of journalism in our 
nation. From the outset of his career on the sports beat at the Salina 
Journal in Salina, Kansas, to the end of his career as the President 
and General Manager of Indianapolis Newspapers Inc., and Publisher of 
the Indianapolis Star, Malcolm was considered by his peers to be the 
consummate ``old school'' journalist. Ever the prolific writer, Malcolm 
dedicated himself to delivering honest, informative and timely news to 
his readers at each stop along his storied career.
  Malcolm was born on January 26, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri, to 
parents Florence and Paul Applegate. Growing up in WaKeeny, Kansas, 
Malcolm attended Trego Community High School, spending many hours after 
school on the basketball and tennis courts, forging lifelong 
friendships, and sparking a love of sports. After the tragic death of 
his father Paul in 1954, Malcolm and his mother Florence relocated to 
Topeka, Kansas, to start life anew. Wanting to stay close to home 
Malcolm initially chose to attend Washburn University, to study 
journalism and compete as a member of both the basketball and tennis 
teams. Later transferring to Kansas University, Malcolm continued his 
study of journalism while serving as the Editor of the Daily Kansan. It 
was also during this time that Malcolm competed as a member of the 
Kansas men's varsity tennis team and joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon 
Fraternity.
  Near the end of his time at Kansas University, Malcolm would 
reconnect with grade school friend Constance Eaton, a student at nearby 
Fort Hays State University. Their friendship would quickly blossom into 
a lifelong love affair. After they both graduated from their respective 
universities, they began their life together, getting married on July 
12, 1959.
  After earning a Master's Degree from the University of Iowa in 1961, 
Malcolm joined the faculty at Fort Hays State University. He later 
returned to Kansas University, this time as the Assistant Dean of the 
Journalism School. In 1969, Malcolm was offered the chance to join the 
well-respected Gannett Newspaper Company. He relocated to Rochester, 
New York with Connie, and their daughters, my very dear friends Kellie 
and Paula. Malcolm then began to rise up the ranks of Gannett which led 
to a number of opportunities.
  In 1971, Malcolm became the Editor of the Ithaca Journal in Ithaca, 
New York. Later in 1975, he relocated to Lafayette, Indiana to become 
the Publisher of the Lafayette Journal & Courier, and the Regional Vice 
President of USA Today. Malcom's next opportunity came with a move to 
Lansing, Michigan in 1986, where he would serve as both the Publisher 
of the Lansing State Journal and Vice President of USA Today.
  In 1990, Malcolm and his family arrived at their final stop in 
Indianapolis, Indiana, where Malcolm served as the President and 
General Manager of Indianapolis Newspapers Inc., and as Publisher of 
the Indianapolis Star until his

[[Page E1624]]

retirement in 1998. Under his stewardship, he prepared the Indianapolis 
Star for the new digital era of news journalism, maintaining the 
paper's status as a beacon of journalistic integrity during this time 
of extreme transformation throughout the industry. Serving in these 
many leadership roles throughout the decades helped to mold Malcolm 
into one of the premier newspapermen in the United States. At every 
stop along his career, Malcolm was known for being both a mentor to 
young journalists, and a bonafide newsman, able to show the same 
dedication to the local news beat, that he showed when interviewing 
prominent national figures such as fellow Kansan Senator Bob Dole and 
others.
  Upon his retirement, Malcolm maintained a role in the Indianapolis 
community as a dedicated philanthropist. His work with organizations 
such as Goodwill Industries, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the United 
Way of Central Indiana helped to improve the lives of many fellow 
citizens. Malcolm was also very involved with the Indianapolis 500 
Festival, a volunteer organization that conducts civic events 
celebrating the Indianapolis 500. As a loyal Kansas Jayhawk alumni, 
Malcom donated $500,000 to create the Malcolm W. Applegate 
Distinguished Professorship in Editing Fund at Kansas University's 
School of Journalism in 2002.
  Always the avid sportsman, Malcolm was often seen on the tennis 
courts of the community. As a lover of all sports, Malcolm took 
distinct pleasure in sharing his love of sports with his children and 
grandchildren, raising an impressive family of athletes. Known by his 
family as ``the World's Biggest Kansas Jayhawk Fan'', his daily 
wardrobe choices often included the school colors Crimson & Blue. Also 
an avid fan of both the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers, friends 
would often see him and his family in their season ticket seats ready 
to cheer the home team to a victory.
  After many decades of service to both his readers and his fellow 
citizens, Malcolm passed away on October 20, 2019. Malcolm will be 
forever missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire 
national journalism community. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Malcolm's 
wife Connie, their daughter Kellie Prusiecki, her husband Drew, 
grandchildren Katie and Adam, as well as their daughter Paula Quammen, 
her husband Ron, grandchildren Christopher and Matthew, and all who 
mourn his passing.

                          ____________________