H*3585 Resolution, By Taylor, Clyburn, Hixon and Blackwell
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE AIKEN STANDARD NEWSPAPER AND TO
 CONGRATULATE THE OWNERS, PUBLISHERS, REPORTERS, AND STAFF AS THEY CONTINUE THE
 NOTEWORTHY LEGACY OF A CENTURY AND A HALF OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING IN THE AIKEN
 COMMUNITY.

   01/25/17  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 34)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE AIKEN STANDARD NEWSPAPER AND TO CONGRATULATE THE OWNERS, PUBLISHERS, REPORTERS, AND STAFF AS THEY CONTINUE THE NOTEWORTHY LEGACY OF A CENTURY AND A HALF OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING IN THE AIKEN COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the Aiken Standard has continued a one-hundred-fifty-year tradition of newspaper publishing in Aiken; and

Whereas, just two years after the end of the Civil War as the South lay in dire straits with only the misery of Reconstruction ahead, the Aiken Press began publishing in 1867, with an initial subscription rate of three dollars per year. It was owned by R. H. Machen & Son and existed for only about a year; and

Whereas, the Aiken Tribune, another precursor of the Aiken Standard, began publishing in 1871 and remained in business until 1875; and

Whereas, through the years numerous papers preceded what ultimately culminated in the Aiken Standard, whose reputation is widely appreciated in the community; and

Whereas, William Henry Ravenel, a famous botanist and scientific writer, served as the first editor of the Aiken Standard; and

Whereas, although no Aiken newspaper has been in existence continually since 1867, the existence of newspaper publishing for one hundred fifty years is an achievement that few publications realize; and

Whereas, to celebrate this remarkable milestone, the Aiken Standard is planning a series of special publications and events throughout 2017, along with stories about events of historical significance; and

Whereas, on June 22, 2017, the celebrations will culminate as the newspaper serves as host for the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce's monthly Business After Hours, with guided tours of the newspaper building; and

Whereas, holding communities together, newspapers often maintain the status as the longest operating businesses in those communities, and the Aiken Standard's business approach is among the most advanced in the State with its commitment to digital reporting; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the commitment of the Aiken Standard newspaper as it continues to grow and meet the needs of the community, and the members celebrate the significant benchmark of a hundred fifty years of faithful and outstanding news reporting. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Aiken Standard newspaper and congratulate the owners, publishers, reporters, and staff as they continue the noteworthy legacy of a century and a half of newspaper publishing in the Aiken community.