[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS THROUGHOUT OUR 
                                HISTORY

  (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to rise 
today to recognize the vital contributions of African American 
newspapers throughout our history and the continuing need for their 
perspective today. The Seattle Media in my district is a good example.
  For nearly 180 years, black newspapers have provided their readers 
with not only the news of the day but with hope for a better tomorrow, 
and for the past 65 years the National Newspaper Publishers Association 
has been the standard bearer in that proud tradition.
  A federation of more than 200 black community newspapers, the NNPA 
has provided outstanding service to its member papers and the 15 
million Americans who rely on them for news. Through its network, the 
NNPA makes stories that happen in one part of the country available 
everywhere, and on the pages of its member papers black reporters and 
columnists record critical events and render thoughtful and much-needed 
alternative viewpoints that both educate and inspire.
  The NNPA is a great American institution in the rich history of 
African American newspaper gathering, and I am proud to pay tribute to 
them today.

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