Sept. 24–27, 2009
Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel
64 South Water St.
Mobile, AL
National Newspaper Association
P.O. Box 7540
Columbia, MO 65205-7540
(573) 882-5800
(800) 829-4NNA (4662), option 2
Fax (573) 884-5490
www.nna.org
Mark your calendars now!
NNA’s 125th Anniversary Celebration
at the 124th Annual Convention
and Trade Show
Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2010
Omaha Hilton and Qwest Center
Omaha, NE
And in 2011...
NNA's 125th Annual Convention
and Trade Show
The Hotel Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
NNA honors two distinguished community leaders with the 2009 Amos & McKinney Awards
MOBILE, AL—Robert F. (Bob) Sweeney and Tonda Rush were honored during the National Newspaper Association’s 123rd Annual Convention & Trade Show, where they were presented with the Amos and McKinney Awards respectively.
Recognized as the highest and most dignified tributes in community journalism, the Amos and McKinney Awards are presented to a working or retired newspaperman and woman who have provided distinguished service and leadership to the community press and their community. The awards were presented at the business luncheon Sept. 26, 2009, which was held during NNA’s convention in Mobile, AL.
Sweeney, publisher of The Villager Newspaper Group in Greenwood Village, CO, received the 2009 James O. Amos Award. This award was established in 1938 in honor of General James O. Amos, a pioneer Ohio journalist and member of the National Editorial Association—now known as the National Newspaper Association.
In a recommendation letter for Sweeney, Ken Rhoades, publisher of the Enterprise Publishing Company in Blair, NE, wrote, “Bob has been a promoter of community newspapers for many years. He also has been a community leader in the Denver and Colorado areas for his entire life…. Bob exceeds all the criteria that would place him at the top of the nominee list.” In a second recommendation letter, L. Alan Cruikshank, publisher of The Fountain Hills (AZ) Times, emphasized that “Bob is a credit to the field of community journalism, an industry he loves…. All of [Sweeney’s] papers have ‘community building’ at the forefront of their missions.”
In support of Sweeney’s nomination, Peter W. Wagner, publisher of The N’West Iowa REVIEW in Sheldon, IA, wrote “Bob is a true journalist, establishing a brand new weekly paper, the Northwest Colorado Press, right out of his post-college stint in the military…. Bob has been a faithful worker for our industry…. [and] is everything a newspaper leader and public servant should be.”
Allen J. Beermann, executive director of the Nebraska Press Association, also shared his appreciation of Sweeney’s efforts, “Everything that Bob does… he does it well. He always brings credit to himself, the industry and to NNA. No higher tribute can be detailed. Bob always serves with high distinction. He works hard… is always helpful and… is always there for NNA and our industry. He is always in the ‘sign me up’ column!”
Judges commented that Sweeney is, “A man of vision who can inspire others to move in new directions,” and added “His devotion to the newspaper industry [is] deep and passionate.” Judges also applauded Sweeney’s commitment and said “If every publisher was as dedicated as Bob Sweeney to his community and his industry, think what a juggernaut of power could be unleashed on America! Bob follows the tenet: 'You can have everything you want in life if you help enough others get what they want.' His generosity in time, talent, dollars and more is a testament to his fine character and an inspiration to all the rest of us.”
Rush, an attorney and president of American PressWorks, which represents the National Newspaper Association, received the 2009 Emma C. McKinney Memorial Award. The McKinney Award was established in 1966 to honor Emma McKinney, co-publisher and editor of the Hillsboro (OR) Argus for 58 years. She was dean of Oregon newspapermen and women in 1954 and was inducted into the Oregon Journalism Hall of Fame in 1982.
In his nomination letter for Rush, Jerry L. Reppert, owner and publisher of The Gazette-Democrat in Anna, IL, stated, “Tonda F. Rush has demonstrated her extraordinary commitment to the community newspaper industry constantly, consistently and admirably for three decades. She has excelled as a devoted and diligent advocate for community newspapers in matters of public policy and postal affairs. Her representation and work on behalf of community newspapers have advanced the stature and visibility of the industry well beyond its local boundaries…. Through her leadership she has guided NNA and several media coalitions through difficult times.”
Jeff M. David, publisher of The Livingston Parish News in Denham Springs, LA, shared additional details, “Particularly during the dark days following NNA’s cancelled Milwaukee convention in the wake of 9/11/2001, Tonda served as the glue that held the organization together as it made the transition from a Washington headquarters to a Columbia headquarters with contract lobbying in DC. During those tumultuous two years, Tonda served many hours without any pay purely out of love and concern to the organization to which she had given so much. It should be noticed that she… is also a newspaper publisher in her own right. I can think of no one more deserving of the McKinney Award than Tonda Rush.”
In a letter of recommendation, Jerry Tidwell, past NNA president and publisher of the Hood County News in Granbury, TX, wrote, “Over the years, Tonda has been the heart, soul and institutional memory of the National Newspaper Association…. Because of Tonda and [NNA Postal Consultant] Max Heath’s combined efforts, newspapers across the country have saved hundred and, in some cases, thousands of dollars each year in postal costs. From the Shield Bill to seeking legislation that would require banks to publish their financial statements, Tonda has led the charge for newspapers. She calls publishers to testify before House and Senate committees. She can mount telephone campaigns to Senate and/or House members in a flash…. Tonda Rush deserves the McKinney Award.”
Dave Berry, vice president and publisher of Neighbor Newspapers Inc, in Bolivar, MO, wrote in support of Rush, “I have long admired the work that Tonda does for our industry…. Frankly, it scares me to think where we might be in our industry today if not for the work she has done. It scares me even more to think where we might be in the future if not for the work she continues to do.”
Judges commented that Rush is “A walking, talking fountain of newspaper knowledge and history, with a vision for the future, and a passion for community newspapers” and added “Her dedication to the newspaper industry is unparalleled. Judges commended Rush for her “legendary and noteworthy” devotion to NNA, journalism and newspapers and added “From Main Street America to the halls of Congress, Tonda has carried community newspapers' torch high and bright!”
Past and present Amos & McKinney winners are listed in the Amos and McKinney Awards section of the website.
Robert F. (Bob) Sweeney and Tonda Rush will be recognized in the November issue of Publishers’ Auxiliary.