SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 201
WHEREAS, The Cherokeean Herald in Rusk, which has been
recognized as the oldest continuously operated weekly newspaper
in Texas, is celebrating its 165th anniversary in 2015; and
WHEREAS, First published on February 27, 1850, as the
Cherokee Sentinel, the local weekly underwent a number of name
changes before its establishment as the Rusk Cherokeean in 1923;
when the Alto Herald was absorbed by the paper in 1989, the
publication became known as the Cherokeean Herald; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, this venerable publication has
benefited from the contributions of several well-known public
figures; in 1867, at the age of 16, future governor James Stephen
Hogg was hired by the paper as a typesetter, and its roster of
previous publishers and owners includes United States
Congressman John Benjamin Long and State Representatives Wallace
M. Ellis and Emmett Whitehead; Mr. Whitehead and his wife, Marie,
bought the newspaper in 1950, and the Whitehead family continues
to own and operate it today; in 2001, an Official State
Historical Marker recognized the Cherokeean's long record of
service to the East Texas community; and
WHEREAS, Local, independent newspapers are a vital and
valued part of their readers' lives, and the Cherokeean Herald
has done an outstanding job of keeping the residents of Rusk and
Cherokee Counties informed and enlightened for well over one and
one-half centuries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby honor the Cherokeean Herald on the occasion
of its 165th anniversary and extend to all those associated with
the newspaper sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the Cherokeean Herald as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Nichols
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 18, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate