[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15276]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               RECOGNIZING THE JUNEAU EMPIRE'S CENTENNIAL

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, today we celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the Juneau Empire, a Morris Communications publication 
that has been providing news to southeast Alaska since long before 
Alaska secured statehood. The newspaper was established in 1912, a year 
before Alaska's territorial legislature first convened. Originally 
called the Alaska Daily Empire, this newspaper has documented Alaska 
history as it happened and continues to be a reliable, prominent source 
of information.
  The city and borough of Juneau is the capital of Alaska and covers 
more area than the entire State of Delaware. The Juneau Empire is an 
important chronicler of government and tribal affairs in this city 
accessible only by airplane or ferry. For decades, there have been 
efforts to move the capital closer to Anchorage, and the Empire has 
been a strong and successful advocate of preserving Juneau's status as 
Alaska's capital. In a State with such vast geographic distances, 
responsible and accurate news reporting from the capital is imperative, 
and the Juneau Empire has risen to that challenge time after time.
  Over the years, contributors to the Juneau Empire have won journalism 
awards from the Alaska Press Club and the Society of Professional 
Journalism. Past editors and leadership at the paper have included 
territorial governors and other prominent political figures in Alaska 
history, making the Empire an historical figure in its own right.
  As media has changed, so has the Juneau Empire. Its graceful 
transition into the digital age has kept the publication relevant and 
accessible. While Alaska develops and builds a national and global 
presence, the importance of reliable news and information about our 
great State is vital. Today, I honor the hard work and dedication of 
the many Alaskans who have worked for and contributed to the Juneau 
Empire over the past century. I hope the Empire will be documenting 
history for another 100 years.

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