[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      CONGRATULATING LA GACETA NEWSPAPER ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 21, 2022

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize La 
Gaceta, the nation's only trilingual newspaper, on its 100th 
anniversary. Since 1922, La Gaceta has connected our community with 
news and served as a symbol of Tampa's rich history and culture.
  The story of La Gaceta's founding began in 1913, when Victoriano 
Manteiga migrated from Cuba to Tampa's Ybor City, Victoriano worked as 
a lector in the Morgan Cigar Factory where he would read novels, local 
and world news, and political publications to factory workers as they 
rolled cigars--a staple of Tampa. In 1922, Victoriano founded La Gaceta 
with the help of Dr. Jose Avellanal, director of the Centro Espanol 
mutual aid society. A Spanish language newspaper, La Gaceta was created 
to serve the needs of the growing Latin, immigrant population of Tampa. 
Creating a space to tell local stories, discuss politics and world 
events, share recipes, highlight sports and other areas of interest, La 
Gaceta was very well received by the community. One of its most notable 
early recognitions beyond Tampa came in 1950, when La Gaceta was 
awarded the title of best Spanish language newspaper in the U.S. by the 
Linguaphone Institute.
  In the 1950s, the newspaper grew its readership by publishing in 
English and later Italian, further serving the community and preserving 
another language and culture of Tampa's population. To this day, La 
Gaceta remains the country's only trilingual newspaper. It was also in 
the 1950s that Victoriano's son, Roland, grew in his role with the 
paper. Roland founded a column, As We Heard It, where he would predict 
political races, provide commentary and share his insider knowledge 
regarding politics. Roland's column gained much attention locally, 
statewide and even nationally from politicians like former presidents 
Jimmy Carter and George Bush. Both Roland and As We Heard IT would 
become known as major political influences.
  Today As We Heard It and La Gaceta are run by Roland's son, Patrick 
Manteiga. Owned and operated by the Manteiga's for three generations 
now, it is the oldest family-owned newspaper in the United States. As 
editor and publisher, Patrick leads a hardworking team of individuals 
who produce weekly editions of La Gaceta for readers to enjoy.
  To commemorate La Gaceta's historic achievement, documentary producer 
Lynn Marvin Dingfelder, an Emmy award-winning Tampa local, released the 
film ``La Gaceta The Documentary: 100 Years and 3 Generations Behind 
America's Only Trilingual Newspaper'' this year. Operating her own 
production company for over 20 years now, Lynn has shared many stories 
of our community through her films and has described Tampa as a place 
with deep love and respect for its history. This film is a symbol of 
that admiration and a way to both share and preserve La Gaceta's story.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the 
citizens of Florida, I congratulate La Gaceta on this monumental 
achievement of its 100th anniversary. As the oldest Spanish language 
newspaper and the second oldest minority-owned newspaper in the United 
States, La Gaceta demonstrates the great value and impact that ethnic 
publications hold in our nation. I am eager to see where La Gaceta's 
future will lead it and all of its readers across Tampa Bay and beyond.

                          ____________________