[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9288]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CENTRALIA SENTINEL SESQUICENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 14, 2013

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
sesquicentennial of the Centralia Sentinel. For 150 years, the 
newspaper has chronicled events large and small in and around the 
southern Illinois town of Centralia. It holds a special place in my 
heart, as the hometown paper of my namesake and grandfather, John 
Shimkus. His clothing store advertised for years in the Sentinel.
   History tells us that the regional term ``Little Egypt'' arose from 
the poor harvest of the 1830s. Citizens of the North had to travel 
south to buy grain, reminiscent of the Biblical story of Joseph being 
brought ``down to Egypt.'' A visitor walking into the reception area of 
the Sentinel is greeted with hieroglyphics on the wall, evoking images 
of an Egyptian tomb. However, those who have worked there know that the 
Sentinel is anything but tomb-like, frequently noting the family 
atmosphere, something long promoted by the newspaper's leadership.
   I would like to congratulate owner Judith Joy, Publisher and co-
owner John Perrine, Associate Publisher Thomas Joy, General Manager Dan 
Nichols, Senior Editor LuAnn Droege, Lifestyles Editor Michelle 
Pennington, Sports Editor Mike McManus, Office Manager Julie Copple, 
Circulation Director Ray Albert, Prepress Supervisor Terri Kelly, 
Mailroom Manager Cindy Estes, Pressroom Manager Mike Bell, and all 
associated with the Sentinel now and over the last 15 decades.
   Mr. Speaker, I salute the Centralia Sentinel and offer my best 
wishes for the next 150 years.

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