Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Times-Standard

HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIMES-STANDARD -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 18, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Times-Standard, a newspaper that has dependably served the Humboldt County, California area since 1854. The only regional daily newspaper, the Times-Standard is a reliable source of national, State and local news for thousands of citizens of the North Coast of California.

First published in September, 1854, the Humboldt Times was the sole source of news and information for early residents of the community. In April, 1875, the Humboldt Standard began publication, joining the Humboldt Times in promoting the interests of the area. From the beginning, important stories appeared. In 1854, the first railroad in the area was incorporated; a steamer from San Francisco sank with substantial loss of lives in 1860; a month later a tragic massacre of members of the Wiyot Tribe; and in 1917 the heavy cruiser USS Milwaukee, trying to rescue a stranded submarine in thick fog, was beached near Eureka-a story that made international headlines.

Headquartered in Eureka, California, on June 1, 1967 the two newspapers combined to become the Times-Standard and provided improved access to information, community leadership, advertising and entertainment to local residents.
The Times-Standard is an invaluable resource for historians and educators. In the early days of European settlement, people came to northern California from Sweden, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland and the British Isles to farm, harvest timber and fish the Pacific Ocean. Workers came from Asia to take part in building and mining, giving a diverse population a role in the growth of the Nation. The newspapers chronicled the impact of this settlement on the native peoples of the area, including the Hupa, Yurok, Tolowa, Karuk, and Wiyot among others.

Under a single owner from 1941 to 1967, the newspaper was acquired by the Brush-Moore Group and was purchased later that year by Thomson Newspapers. In 1996, the Times-Standard became a member of MediaNews Corporation.

The newspaper has been a community champion for major issues facing the region and a leading forum for discussion and debate. It plays a significant role in the progress of the region. The Times-Standard remains committed to the improvement of the community it serves and is an indispensable source of accurate and comprehensive news to the citizens of our State.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize one of California's finest newspapers, the Times-Standard of Eureka, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.