EXTENSIONS of REMARKS July 10, 1990 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS a SALUTE to 50 YEARS of NA Americans Were Recognized and Honored
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16792 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS July 10, 1990 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS A SALUTE TO 50 YEARS OF NA Americans were recognized and honored. extension of the convention movement TIONAL NEWSPAPERS ASSO Many Black publishers, editors and others through which White America had been led CIATION took the view that, as we gained our civil to open its ear occasionaly to Black com rights, Black Americans would become "in plaints. tegrated" into every aspect of American life Then came the bitter circulation competi HON. LOUIS STOKES with few, if any, problems. Moreover, some tion among all American newspapers. White OF OHIO Black publishers stated openly that their publishers went so far as to burn each IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES newspapers then would become more like a other's newsstands. The major Black pub "general" press. The "Black press" that has lishers burned no stands, but they ceased Tuesday, July 10, 1990 leaned in this direction is seen, by some, to communicating among themselves and even Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be hovering over a precipice that could banned each other's names from the pages take this occasion to salute the National mean death. of their newspapers. Newspaper Association [NNPA], which is Other Black publishers with a slightly dif It was clearly time for a renewed attempt ferent, but acutely important focus, have at association for the Black-oriented press. celebrating its 50th anniversary. This distin begun choosing not to be identified with the guished body of black publishers has been A "Young Turk" named John H. Segstacke term "Black press." Instead, they have came forward to take the reins in hand as the conscience and catered to the vastly dif chosen to be identified as a Black-owned founder and first president of a new associa ferent needs of the black community. The and "Black-oriented" press. These publish tion. In the June 20, 1987 issue of The black press has helped to promote self ers have recognized that for any medium to Michigan Chronicle, he tells about the esteem by recognizing black achievement, be judged worthwhile by its major support founding of the National Newspaper Asso and serving as a channel for education, and ers, must be oriented to the needs, view ciation <NNP A>: overall self-improvement. In addition, the orga points and aspirations of the majority con "At that time . I was taking over the stituency it serves. Thus, these Black pub nization has served as adviser to the execu operation of the Chicago Defender from my lishers are not disturbed by the fact that uncle, Robert S. Abbott, who had built the tive branch of government, and worked with White-oriented media do not and cannot other black organizations to address many of newspaper into one of the leading publica cater easily to the vastly different needs of tions of its type in the country. the problems faced by black Americans. the Black community. These publishers "When I broached the idea of forming a Like many black organizations, one of the view this as the threshold of a vast new op unified organization of Black publications, primary goals of the black press is community portunity. my uncle (from his sick bed) thought little outreach. A current project undertaken by THE BEGINNING of the idea. He told me that his peers in the NNPA is the eradication of illiteracy through From its beginnings, the Black press has newspaper world, Robert L. Vann of the its Assault on Literacy Program. This is an ap had its greatest influence when it has Pittsburgh Courier, Carl Murphy of the propriate task for this historic organization and sought primarily to play a complementary Afro American and C.A. Franklin of the the effort is proving very successful. At this role to the daily press and to other media Kansas City Call weren't speaking to each time, I am pleased to share with my col which were then <and now) not oriented to other and wouldn't join in an organization the needs of African Americans. This was designed to serve for the betterment of all. leagues a recent article from the National recognized clearly by John B. Russwurm " ... I wasn't deterred by the admonitions Black Monitor which highlights the history and and the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish, founders from my uncle. I sent out a message to all achievements of the NNPA. It is certainly of Freedom's Journal, the first Black news the publishers and was warmed by the re worthwhile reading. paper in America. The goal of Freedom's sponse. I received from folks like W.O. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute the Na Journal was to interpret, and give positive Walker of the Cleveland Call and Post, tional Newspaper Association. I am certain and reality focusing meaning to Black life. Connie Dejois of the Louisiana Weekly, that the black press will continue and build The founders of Freedom's Journal recog Tommy Young and his brother of the Nor upon its legacy, and will become an increas nized that, as they phrased it, "too long folk Journal and Guide and a few others. have others spoken" for the Black commu ingly stronger and more viable force not only "When the organizational meeting was nity in America. Russwurm and Cornish held in Chicago in February 1941, most of in the black community, but throughout the began their work, in limited quarters and the young publishers showed up, but my world. with even more limited financial resources, uncle was right-Murphy, Vann and Frank [From the National Black Monitor, June at 5 Varick Street in New York City long lin weren't there nor did they send repre 1990] before the advent of electronic communica sentatives." 50 YEARS OF NNPA AND ITS FuTURE SERVICE tions. There were no telephone, telegraph, [During this meeting, Sengstacke received ROLE fax machine, or satellite systems by which word informing him that his uncle, the the sight and sound of current events could founder of the Chicago Defender, had died.] "The Black Press believes that America be gathered promptly and then prepared can best lead the world away from racial "I turned the meeting over to Bill Walker and national antagonisms when it accords to immediately for the printer's page. Hence and that is how the organization started. every person, regardless of race, color, or the news was always dated. But these pio ... I am sorry that my uncle did not live so creed, full human and legal rights. Hating neers brought to their work far more signifi that I could have shown him that my idea no person, fearing no person, the Black cant resources than "instant news." They could become a reality." brought well trained minds which could The first real signs of cooperation came Press strives to help every person in the impart the element of meaning (so sorely firm belief that all are hurt as long as when Walter White of the NAACP reported needed) to past and current events in Black that pressure was being brought on Presi anyone is held back" .-Credo of the Black American life. Press dent Roosevelt and the Justice Department The "Black Press" in America was born at THE BIRTH OF NNPA to indict some Black newspaper editors for a time, over 160 years ago, when the "White Since that time hundreds of Black-orient subversion. He also warned of plans to deny press" was taking a major leadership and ed newspapers have appeared on the scene; their access to newsprint. Although Presi extremely hostile role in the encouragement some disappeared almost as quickly as they dent Roosevelt discouraged both moves, of all types of persecution of African Ameri came; others have survived through much White realized that steps had to be taken to cans. Necessity decreed that Black Ameri pain and conflict. Due to the difficulties en strengthen the Black press. He blamed this cans have a press of their own to state their countered in the business of publishing a adverse criticism on certain weaknesses of case for long overdue justice and equity. Black-oriented newspaper, publishers began Black newspapers. All of them suffered Over the years, as the vocal and often mil efforts to organize and cooperate. During from the twin woes of lack of staff and care itant Black press grew in stature and exert the 1880s, 1890s and up to the period just lessness which led them to print unverified ed influence against clear and outrageous before World War I, Black publishers copy and to use sensational headlines that acts of injustice, many rights of African sought to strengthen their association as an gave the news a distorted emphasis. e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of i:he House on the floor. July 10, 1990 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 16793 In 1943, the NAACP called a meeting of with the work of John Russwurm and ing through and with the other organiza the publishers of two dozen prominent Samuel Cornish and many other early Black tions in AOIP, our group is rededicating Black newspapers. The Washington office newspaper publishers. Although Monroe itself not only to greatly expanding Elkdom, of the NAACP was made available for Trotter, who served as the editor of the but also to building all of our communities checking copy. At this meeting the publish Boston Guardian in the early 1900s, was as never before by taking leadership respon ers agreed to help each other.