[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1157]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 PAYING TRIBUTE TO RICH PERLBERG, NEW PRESIDENT OF THE MICHIGAN PRESS 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Rich Perlberg of Brighton, Michigan, who was 
recently installed as 2002 president of the Michigan Press Association.
  Rich Perlberg and his family have been dedicated for three 
generations to continuing America's tradition of a free press. The 
Perlberg family also works to keep the newspaper industry viable in a 
highly competitive era and is fully committed to enhancing the 
communities they serve.
  Rich Perlberg, publisher and general manager of Home Town Newspapers, 
is both a second generation president and the third Perlberg to head 
Michigan's volunteer, statewide organization of newspapers. His father, 
Ed Perlberg was president in 1982, and his brother Bob served in 1992. 
Actually, the Perlberg family tradition goes back even farther. Rich's 
grandfather, Floyd, once served as a board member of the now 300-member 
association.
  Rich Perlberg understands that community newspapers are the 
historians of American life, as well as the watchdogs of community 
well-being and a cornerstone of the community economy.
  Perlberg assumes the Michigan Press Association presidency at a 
critical time. While newspapers that reflect their communities are the 
very backbone of the community, the backbone of these publications is 
retail advertising. Without that revenue, it would be nearly impossible 
for newspapers to serve their communities. The recent dip in the 
economy and other media competition for advertising revenue, present 
Perlberg with a major challenge in the new year.
  Perlberg's family tradition in community newspapers and his 
successful newspaper career make him the right man for Michigan's 
newspaper industry in 2002. He began his career sweeping floors, 
proofing ads and writing copy at his father's paper in Bay City, 
Michigan. He has since risen to lead one of the state's most respected 
and successful community newspaper groups. He is well-prepared to 
assume responsibility for the association.
  We congratulate Rich Perlberg on his new opportunity and wish him and 
the Michigan Press Association the very best in the coming year.

                          ____________________