{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/senator-boozman-kathy-webb-talk-summer-meals-on-klrt-morning-show-08-29-2019", "Senator Boozman's Prepared Remarks Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mr./Madam President,\r\nNewspapers have played a vital role in our country's history of public discourse, increasing our knowledge and awareness about what takes place around us.\r\nThe stories they print keep us informed, while building a sense of community and regional identity.\r\nNewspapers drive political debates and set the agenda, helping us make sense of the issues impacting our world.\r\nAs one of the oldest continuously published newspapers west of the Mississippi, theArkansas Democrat-Gazettehas been a resource of information that keeps readers connected to community, the state and our nation for 200 years.\r\nIn 1819, William E. Woodruff published the first edition of theArkansas Gazette, the Arkansas Territory's first newspaper.\r\nThere was no shortage of news to print in those days. During its early years, the publication encouraged settlement to the region, shared news of national importance and promoted statehood. \r\nFor generations this publication has been a primary source of reliable and comprehensive news that has shaped the way Arkansans view the world.\r\nIt has consistently challenged the status quo and examined the decisions of elected leaders while pursuing transparency and accountability.\r\nThe work theGazetteproduced often resulted in positive change in the Natural State.\r\nIn 1957, the newspaper opposed Governor Orval Faubus' decision to prevent integration of Little Rock Central High School.\r\nFor its reporting on the struggles of integration, theGazetteearned two Pulitzer Prizes -- one for meritorious public service and the other awarded to its executive editor, Harry Ashmore, for editorial writing, marking the first time a newspaper had won two Pulitzer Prizes in the same year.\r\nThe paper and its spirited competitor,theArkansas Democrat, contended for readers and advertisers for decades.\r\nIn 1991, theGazettewas sold to the owners of theArkansas Democratwho then launched theArkansas Democrat-Gazette, the only statewide newspaper that Arkansans read today.\r\nThe importance of theArkansas Democrat-Gazettein today's media landscape can't be overstated. In some cases, it is the sole source of news for many small towns in Arkansans as local newspapers continue to cease operations, especially those serving in rural areas.\r\nUnder the leadership of Walter Hussman Jr., theDemocrat-Gazetteis navigating this challenging industry landscape and creating opportunities to keep readers informed while keeping costs manageable.\r\nHussman and his team are rethinking how and what news they deliver to readers as well as how subscribers can and like to consume it.\r\nTo cut printing and transportation costs and combat declining advertisement revenue, the paper is now using iPads to maintain subscribers and continue providing this valuable, not-easily replaced service to the community.\r\nIn an interview earlier this year about his efforts at theDemocrat-Gazette, Hussman noted his view that the print model is not sustainable.\r\nBut he voiced his commitment to finding a solution that will fill the void because, as he says, society and our democracy will be impeded if we don't have newspapers.\r\nThroughout periods of change, Hussman and the newspaper he owns continue to believe in the critical role that news gathering and reporting plays in informing the public.\r\nEvery day, theArkansas Democrat-Gazetteand the other publications owned by the Hussman family publish a statement of core values that include objectivity, impartiality, integrity and truth-seeking.\r\nThis clear, sensible mantra consistently helps guide the work done by the reporters and editors in the paper's newsroom.\r\nJournalism is a pillar of democracy. Our founders understood the importance of a free press and included protections in the First Amendment that safeguard and ensure the ability of reporters and the publications they write for to hold the powerful to account.\r\nEarlier this year, I was proud to support the World Press Freedom Day resolutionand recognize the sacrifices journalists around the world make in their effort to report the truth.\r\nWe must continue to promote a free and open press in the United States and around the globe.\r\nIn today's climate, we all share responsibility for acknowledging the value and necessity of press freedom while at the same time not shrinking away from appropriate scrutiny and fair criticism.\r\nThe health and well-being of our society and civic life depends on striking the right balance in this regard.\r\nFor 200 years, theArkansas Democrat-Gazettehas kept individuals informed about moments and events of significance in Arkansas, our country and the world.\r\nI congratulate the newspaper's leaders and staff for pursuing facts and accountability as they have created and sustained the publication as a responsible and reliable source of information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/senator-boozman-kathy-webb-talk-summer-meals-on-klrt-morning-show-08-29-2019"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4690659008920193, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}