[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER NEWSPAPER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2025

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an extraordinary 
institution in American journalism and Black history as the 
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper celebrates its 130th anniversary.
  Founded in 1895 by George P. Stewart and Will Porter as a two-page 
church bulletin, the Recorder has grown into one of the most enduring 
African American newspapers in the United States. It has served as a 
vital platform for truth, justice, and community empowerment, 
particularly for Black Hoosiers, for over thirteen decades.
  From its early advocacy against lynching and for voting rights, to 
its courageous coverage during the Civil Rights Movement, to dedicated 
coverage of issues impacting the Black community and all Hoosiers, the 
Recorder has always championed fairness and equal representation for 
all. It has lifted up local Black institutions like Crispus Attucks 
High School and the Madam Walker Manufacturing Company, while promoting 
civic engagement and public health.
  In recent decades, the Recorder has continued to evolve under 
visionary leadership. From William G. Mays' preservation of its legacy 
to Shannon Williams' modernization of operations, and now under Robert 
Shegog, the Recorder has expanded its reach through digital innovation, 
multimedia platforms, and award-winning journalism--earning over one 
hundred honors in just the past few years.
  Today, with more than 120,000 weekly readers, the Recorder is not 
just a newspaper--it's a living institution. Through initiatives like 
Recorder Charities, the JAWS youth journalism program, and the Minority 
Business Review, it continues to invest in the future of media and 
enrich civic life in Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper on its 130th anniversary. May the 
Recorder's legacy of truth, service, and advocacy continue to inspire 
and inform for generations to come.

                          ____________________