[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF EMMA BASS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2015

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's been more than a century since 
the famous Blues singer Sam ``Lightnin''' Hopkins was born in 
Centerville, but there has been one lady catching lightning on paper 
since 1980.
  For more than three decades if news happened in the Leon county seat, 
we all could count on Emma Bass to keep us fully informed.
  In her town of less than a thousand residents, Emma started The 
Centerville News with a local loan and a big dream.
  Thanks to Emma's hard work, The Centerville News is a necessary part 
of Centerville life. Centerville natives who have moved away from home 
subscribe to keep up on local happenings. All thanks to Emma's hard 
work and perseverance.
  My friendship with Emma started when I was lucky enough to be elected 
to represent Centerville in the Texas House of Representatives. That 
friendship continues today and I'm better for it.
  Count me as part of Emma's fan club.
  I greatly admire and respect her integrity, intelligence and humor.
  Everyone knew that if you wanted to get the story out and get it 
right, you better be talking to Emma Bass.
  In an era of newspaper cutbacks, it's that hometown feel that makes 
what she created so special. When you read a story in The Centerville 
News and close your eyes just for a moment, you are there.
  While it may take time for the new team to fill Emma's shoes, The 
Centerville News she founded and nurtured is staying local and Emma's 
contributions to her community continue on through her work on the 
Centerville Chamber of Commerce board.
  Emma Bass is a Centerville icon and her voice will be missed on the 
pages of The Centerville News. But my friend Emma's retirement from 
news is well deserved. May it be as long, happy and fulfilling as this 
wonderful lady deserves.
  Thank you, Emma Bass, for sharing so much with all of us for all 
these years.

                          ____________________