Reps. Waters, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Ball, Baxter, Bieda, Brandenburg, Byrnes, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Dillon, Drolet, Espinoza, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Gleason, Gonzales, Hood, Hopgood, Huizenga, Jones, Kolb, Kathleen Law, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Mayes, Meisner, Meyer, Mortimer, Murphy, Nitz, Polidori, Sak, Sheltrown, Alma Smith, Spade, Stahl, Stewart, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 258.

            A resolution honoring the Detroit Free Press upon the occasion of its 175th anniversary.

            Whereas, It is with deep appreciation of the significance of this milestone that we commend the management and staff of the Detroit Free Press as they mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of this exemplary business.  A winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes, it was first published as the Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer on May 5, 1831.  At the beginning, the Detroit Free Press staff consisted of McKnight, an African American printer, and an apprentice. Methods were primitive and newsgathering was difficult; and

            Whereas, Faced with many challenges over the first 20 years, which included changes of ownership, locations and various name changes, the long name was shortened to the Democratic Free Press and in 1835.  The Detroit Free Press became the Michigan Territory’s first daily newspaper.  It then changed its name again to the Detroit Daily Free Press to announce its frequency.  After experiencing several stops and starts, in 1853, Wilbur F. Storey took over as owner and editor and the Free Press entered a new era of prosperity and progress.  Storey took the Detroit Free Press from a local paper to one that has innovated the nation.  The Detroit Free Press soon became known as an authority on happenings on both a local and national level and continued to grow, adding more sections and contributors to its news lineup; and

            Whereas, Since its founding in Metropolitan Detroit, the Detroit Free Press has become a vital element in keeping Michigan informed and connected to national affairs and local events.  Over the years, the Detroit Free Press has had many owners and editors nurture and advance its content and subscription levels. It is currently owned by Gannett.  The Detroit Free Press has had many challengers over the years, but has continued to grow and enjoys the status of surviving longer than any of its competitors.  This success in maintaining competitiveness during an era of many challenges is the direct result of the commitment of the people of this company and their ability to work together to offer the best in news coverage and services over the years.  Even as our cyclical Michigan economy has presented obstacles to growth and stability, the Detroit Free Press has sustained itself through dedication and innovation; and

            Whereas, In looking back over the 175 years of the Detroit Free Press' history, it is clear that this business has set its course with a continuing look towards the future.  While the changes of the marketplace dictate many of the decisions for any good company, the Detroit Free Press has also demonstrated the importance of looking beyond the balance sheet alone to include the ideas of its people and the role of the company in community life in making its choices.  We are grateful for all that the Detroit Free Press has contributed to Metropolitan Detroit and all of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor the Detroit Free Press upon the occasion of its 175th anniversary.  We salute them on this happy occasion and wish them well in the years to come; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Detroit Free Press as a token of our esteem.