[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15557]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING BILL MASTERSON, JR., PUBLISHER OF THE TIMES MEDIA COMPANY OF 
                           NORTHWEST INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound respect and 
admiration that I stand before you today to honor Mr. Bill Masterson, 
Jr., for his remarkable success as Publisher of The Times Media Company 
of Northwest Indiana, as well as for his devotion to professional and 
ethical business and community leadership. Bill was named Publisher of 
the Year 2012 by Editor & Publisher, a monthly international 
publication covering the newspaper industry. Bill will be honored at a 
reception sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Forum on Thursday, 
November 29, 2012, at the Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, 
Indiana.
  Bill Masterson, Jr., was named Publisher of the Year 2012 by the 
Editor & Publisher editorial board. Publishers from across the nation, 
and as far as Germany and Nigeria, were nominated by their employees 
and peers for this prestigious honor. In this era of expanding 
technology and economic difficulty, the newspaper industry has been 
forced to make significant adjustments in order to compete with the 
revenue, marketing, and demographic challenges facing traditional ink-
on-paper media. For his ability to think outside the box and his 
innovative approach to shift the role of the local newspaper within the 
community of Northwest Indiana, Bill certainly exemplifies the 
qualities of a true leader and is a worthy recipient of this award.
  Bill's publishing career spans twenty-five years. In 2006, Mr. 
Masterson became Publisher of The Times Media Company of Northwest 
Indiana and was recently promoted to Vice President of Publishing for 
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, the parent company of The Times. While 
he will continue to serve as Publisher of The Times Media Company of 
Northwest Indiana, in his new position, Bill and three other vice 
presidents will oversee print and digital operations for Lee 
Enterprises in twenty-three states. Under his leadership at The Times, 
Bill has been able to increase revenue while avoiding major staff cuts. 
He has cultivated an environment of innovation and continues to provide 
high-quality content to readers.
  The changing role of the local newspaper within the community 
motivated Mr. Masterson to create ``One Region: One Vision,'' which 
strives to improve the quality of life for the people of Northwest 
Indiana. The movement was launched five years ago and brings together 
local business, political, and community leaders in order to promote 
positive change within the community. The program has led to urban 
revitalization, a bimonthly mayor's roundtable discussion, the 
establishment of a health care council, and it has helped to increase 
community involvement and awareness. Bill also serves on the executive 
board of directors for the Barden of Gary Foundation and the Boys and 
Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, where he initiated a campaign to 
raise funds for a new Boys and Girls Club and community center in Gary, 
Indiana. To date, the campaign has raised more than $5.5 million.
  Bill Masterson is the epitome of an excellent person of business. He 
innately understands and actively lives the words spoken by Jacob 
Marley in A Christmas Carol: ``Mankind was my business. The common 
welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, 
were, all, my business.'' We are fortunate that he walks among us.
  Bill's exceptional dedication to his field and to his community is 
exceeded only by his devotion to his amazing family. Bill and his 
beloved wife, Julie, have six wonderful children and three 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other colleagues join 
me in congratulating Bill Masterson, Jr., on being named Publisher of 
the Year 2012. For his unwavering commitment to improving the quality 
of life for the people of Northwest Indiana and his remarkable career 
with The Times Media Company of Northwest Indiana, Bill serves as an 
inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________