| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, For a century, The Facts newspaper has served |
|
|
citizens of Brazoria County as a vital source of information; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This venerable publication was established by |
|
|
printer R. Roy Ruffin as The Freeport Facts, a weekly that debuted |
|
|
on February 28, 1913, not long after the founding of Freeport; the |
|
|
first edition reported on the growth of the city and included |
|
|
accounts of the completion of the Hotel Carlton and the opening of a |
|
|
new grocery store; at the time, the paper was one of seven in the |
|
|
area; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 1914, a local editor and publisher, |
|
|
C. P. Kendall, Sr., purchased The Freeport Facts; he was committed |
|
|
to covering the news thoroughly while supporting community and |
|
|
emphasizing positive developments, and this legacy was carried on |
|
|
by his sons, Manis Kendall and C. P. Kendall, Jr., who assumed |
|
|
leadership in 1931; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The current owner, Southern Newspapers, Inc., |
|
|
purchased the paper in 1952 and briefly called it The Daily |
|
|
Facts-Review before public opinion prompted a change to the |
|
|
Brazosport Facts; five years later, publisher James Nabors took the |
|
|
helm and built readership by adding a weekend edition and |
|
|
increasing the size of the paper; Hurricane Carla temporarily |
|
|
halted production in 1961, but the publication quickly rebounded |
|
|
and eventually outgrew its offices, leading Mr. Nabors to move its |
|
|
headquarters to Clute in 1976; following his retirement, the paper |
|
|
was led for six years by Bruce Morisse; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, On July 1, 1992, Bill Cornwell began a distinguished |
|
|
tenure as editor and publisher that has continued for more than two |
|
|
decades; he expanded publication to seven days a week, extended |
|
|
coverage to most of the county, and changed the name from the |
|
|
Brazosport Facts to The Facts to reflect the wider reach; in recent |
|
|
years, the paper has kept pace with the digital age by establishing |
|
|
a website and social media presence; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The six original competitors to The Facts have long |
|
|
since vanished, and it is now the only daily newspaper in the |
|
|
county; its enduring presence is a testament to its proud tradition |
|
|
of quality journalism and its steadfast dedication to the community |
|
|
it serves; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the centennial of The Facts |
|
|
newspaper and extend to all those associated with the publication |
|
|
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the newspaper as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |