[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOHN CROMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 23, 2025

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career 
of John Croman, an extraordinary journalist and member of our 
community. Mr. Croman recently retired from his role as Chief Political 
Reporter for KARE 11 after nearly 30 years of dedicated service 
bringing reliable, informative, and timely political news to 
Minnesotans.
  Mr. Croman attended the University of Kansas before moving to 
Minnesota to begin his career in reporting. He started at KARE 11 in 
1997 as an investigative reporter and gravitated towards political 
reporting, where he would thrive for the rest of his career. He 
captivated audiences with his impeccable journalistic skills and his 
knack for making politics relatable. In his decades at KARE he covered 
major historical events, including the tragic loss of our late Senator 
Paul Wellstone, the 8-month recount of Minnesota's 2008 Senate 
election, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota.
  Those who worked closely with Mr. Croman admired his wealth of 
knowledge about Minnesota politics and history--they referred to him as 
``the contact, and the context,'' for every story. He was praised for 
his commitment to reporting on substantive policy rather than the 
fleeting trends of the moment, and his tireless dedication to the truth 
in his journalism.
  Mr. Croman brought a unique flair to his work, often breaking into 
song and creating jingles for every occasion. He seized every 
opportunity to inject joy into his work and to share it with those 
around him, whether during marathon end-of-legislative-session nights, 
elections, or simply checking his microphone. He was also known for his 
dedication to his craft, often acting as his own cameraman and editor 
when working late or on days off, which he frequently did.
  Chief Political Reporter John Croman embraced excellence, integrity, 
and passion for his work. His long and impactful career is a testament 
to his ability to communicate even the most complex issues to listeners 
and viewers around the state. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in thanking him for his remarkable service and celebrating his well-
deserved retirement.

                          ____________________