E1388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 27, 2000 TO COMMEMORATE THE 150TH AN- Third Congressional District, which I have the distance from urban centers and low popu- NIVERSARY OF THE HUNTS- privilege to represent. lation densities. Telecommunication providers VILLE ITEM Next week friends, family, and officials will often prefer to deploy advanced telecommuni- gather at the Albemarle Plantation in Hertford cation systems in urban areas, where fixed HON. JIM TURNER to recognize Mr. Bunch for 50 years of dedi- costs are spread over more customers and OF TEXAS cated service to the federal government. volume is greater. Mr. Bunch began his career in the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The gentlewoman from Oregon and I set to States Navy on August 24, 1944 and served work on an ambitious proposal that would take Thursday, July 27, 2000 our Nation until March 6, 1946. a comprehensive approach rather than several Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I have a special His career as Postmaster of the Belvidere fragmented efforts. This collaborative effort led opportunity today to honor the Huntsville Item, facility began on January 24, 1952 where he to the three part Comprehensive Rural Tele- a fine newspaper in East Texas, which will be has tirelessly served for over 48 years. communications Act. Our legislation combines celebrating its 150th birthday on August 18. After fifty years of service to the Federal incentives for infrastructure creation along with The Huntsville Item is the second oldest Government and to the men, women and chil- the educational opportunities needed to en- continually published newspaper in the state dren of our great Nation, Mr. Bunch is not sure a population who can utilize the new in- of Texas. Over the last century and a half, it slowing down. frastructure. has reported the everyday challenges facing He is in wonderful health and has men- The legislation establishes National Centers East Texans, as well as the triumphs and trag- tioned no plans of retirement. for Distance Working which would provide edies of our great nation. He currently resides in Belvidere, North training, referral, and employment-related The Huntsville Item began publication in Carolina with his wife of 51 years, Clemma services and assistance to individuals in rural Huntsville, Texas on August 20 1850, under Bunch. Together Roy and Clemma have one communities and Indian Tribes to support the the editorship of George Robinson, who was son and a daughter. use of teleworking in information and high born in Liverpool, England. From 1863±1864, He continues to be an exemplary example technology fields. These centers would help during Robinson's enlistment in the Civil War, of an outstanding public servant and for that I people in rural areas link up with employers so the Item was irregularly published due to Rob- would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. they could take advantage of new career op- inson's war duties and scarce supplies. Bunch. portunities even if they do not live in areas A fire destroyed the printing house of the All of our federal employees deserve great with numerous employers. Item on May 4, 1878, and the paper had to be thanks from this Nation. It is not an overstate- To encourage infrastructure creation, the printed several blocks away. But again, six ment to say that without federal employees legislation provides a 10% to 15% tax credit years later, fire struck down the printing our country would not be able to function. on expenditures by companies deploying house, interrupting the Item's distribution for They touch every aspect of our lives and pro- broadband (1.5 MBPS) or enhanced several weeks while printing was relocated to vide immeasurable benefits to us all. Without broadband (10 MBPS) in rural areas. The leg- nearby Willis. Later that year, George's young- the dedication to service that federal workers islation also authorizes the USDA's Rural Util- est son, Fred, took over management of the such as Mr. Bunch provide, our Nation would ity Service to provide up to $3 billion in loans paper, moving all its operations back into not be the great country it is today. or credit extensions to eligible telecommuni- Huntsville. Mr. Roy Bunch, ``thank you,'' I salute you. cations carrier providers to finance the deploy- For several years early in the twentieth cen- f ment of broadband service in rural commu- tury, the Huntsville Item operated as the nities. INTRODUCTION OF THE MINGE- Huntsville Post-Item under publisher J.A. A special thanks goes to the esteemed Sen- HOOLEY COMPREHENSIVE Palmer. In 1915, the paper was sold to Ross ators DORGAN, ROCKEFELLER, and WELLSTONE. RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS Woodall, who, along with his wife, published Much of this legislation is based on individual ACT the paper until 1967. bills they have previously introduced. I would The Item is currently owned by Community also like to thank the Chairman of the Demo- Holdings Newspapers, Inc. HON. DAVID MINGE cratic Caucus, Representative MARTIN FROST. The faded headlines of this newspaper tell OF MINNESOTA Mr. Speaker, I request that my House col- the story of our nation's history. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES leagues join with me in supporting and pass- Through the Civil War, two World Wars, Thursday, July 27, 2000 ing the Minge-Hooley Comprehensive Rural Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and Telecommunications Act, which is critical to Kosovo, the Item relayed news of brave Amer- Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, today I announce rural America's future. ican soldiers to their parents, siblings, and the introduction of landmark legislation to help f loved ones. Its newsprint has captured the maintain the viability of America's rural econ- Great Depression, the Baby Boom, the Oil omy. I join with my colleague Representative FREE SPEECH AND MEDIA IN THE Rush, the S&L crash, and the digital revolu- DARLENE HOOLEY and members of the Demo- OSCE REGION AFTER 25 YEARS tion. Its columns have examined Nolan Ryan, cratic Rural Task Force in introducing the Willie Nelson, LBJ and Sam Rayburn. Comprehensive Rural Telecommunications HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS I congratulate all the editors, photographers, Act. OF PENNSYLVANIA and reporters who have made this newspaper Several months ago, I was given the oppor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tunity to chair the Democratic Rural Task last through the test of time. Even after four Thursday, July 27, 2000 fires and other challenges, the paper has sur- Force. This task force was developed with the vived and flourished. aim of pursuing initiatives which ensure our Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today freedom of I hope that the stories it reports in the next rural communities are not left behind in the the press and media in the OSCE participating hundred and fifty years will mirror the same new millennium. Many factors comprise a ro- States is deteriorating and regressing, largely growth, progress, and success that our nation bust economy. That is true in an urban, subur- unnoticed by the peoples of the region. This is has experienced since its first copy, published ban or rural community. It was my job to de- happening in Western and Central Europe in in 1850. cide which economic sectors of rural America much the same way one cooks a frog. Place f we could most realistically pursue. the frog in cold water and start the fire. As the With the advice and input of the tele- water heats up, the frog is gradually cookedÐ TRIBUTE TO POSTMASTER ROY C. communications innovators in my Congres- having never known he was in danger. This BUNCH sional district, I saw the important need for a type of political gradualism is a true threat to strong investment in telecommunications infra- the peoples and States of Europe. HON. WALTER B. JONES structure to provide for the maintenance and Recent hearings held by the Helsinki Com- OF NORTH CAROLINA future growth of rural America. The Internet mission, on which I serve, have noted a num- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES creates great commercial opportunities; there- ber of high profile cases in Eastern Europe fore, telecommunications infrastructures are showcasing the situation. We have heard of Thursday, July 27, 2000 more than ever a crucial tool of our economic the rise of influence and pressure from heavy- Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, development. However, rural communities are handed government authorities who feel the today I pay a special tribute to Postmaster at a real disadvantage when it comes to build- need to control the views and reports of inde- Roy C. Bunch who resides in North Carolina's ing these new advanced networks, given their pendent journalists. Such actions have been
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