[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17365-17366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE EUFAULA TRIBUNE'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXEMPLARY 
                          COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a 
community newspaper in my congressional district celebrating 75 years 
in business. The Eufaula Tribune recently marked its anniversary by 
announcing a new publisher, Jack Smith, who was the associate 
publisher, editor, and son of long-time publisher and owner, Joel P. 
Smith, Sr.
  For three quarters of a century, The Tribune has consistently 
educated, challenged, and supported the community of Eufaula with 
weekly, professional reporting. In an age of mass media and corporate 
take-over, this family-owned paper has remained a cornerstone of its 
community and a refreshing splash of local color. In fact, the Tribune 
has not only garnered a loyal readership, but has netted 14 awards from 
the Alabama Press Association.
  Since 1958, Joel Smith has devoted his time, energy, and verbal 
craftsmanship to the Tribune. At the same time, he and his wife, Ann, a 
columnist and reporter for the Tribune, have raised three boys, 
balancing healthy

[[Page 17366]]

community life with critical reporting. Joel's 46 years of endurance 
and commitment to his paper and his hometown are worth commending.
  Jack began working for the Tribune at age 10 and is now an 
experienced and educated writer, editor, and publisher. Succeeding as 
publisher while raising his own young family in Eufaula, Jack promises 
continued excellence for the family-oriented community newspaper, 
saying ``my goal is to become the best community newspaper in 
Alabama.''
  Mr. Speaker, I have a special appreciation for the contributions and 
the difficulties of running a newspaper in a small town. I, myself, 
owned and published a few different community newspapers in Alabama for 
over 30 years. It is a challenging and rewarding business and one of 
the noblest callings in public service.
  The Eufaula Tribune has kept Eufaula, Alabama a vibrant, thinking, 
and informed community for 75 years. I salute this outstanding 
achievement.

                          ____________________