_______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the Vincennes
Sun-Commercial newspaper on the occasion of the 200th anniversary
of its founding.
Whereas, The Vincennes Sun-Commercial newspaper is the
direct descendent of the newspapers founded by Elihu Stout
in the summer of 1804, making it the oldest newspaper in
Indiana;
Whereas, Elihu Stout began publishing the newspaper
known as the Indiana Gazette at the urging of William Henry
Harrison, governor of what was then the Indiana Territory;
Whereas, Mr. Stout later renamed the paper the Western
Sun, the Western Sun and General Advertiser, and, finally,
The Vincennes Sun;
Whereas, According to local legend, a young Abraham
Lincoln helped Elihu Stout publish the March 6, 1830,
edition of the paper;
Whereas, A replica of the Stout print shop, including an
authentic Adam Ramage wooden printing press, is part of the
Indiana Territory State Historic Site;
Whereas, The newspaper was sold several times until, in
1930, Eugene C. Pulliam purchased The Vincennes Sun and
the rival Vincennes Commercial and combined them into the
Vincennes Sun-Commercial; and
Whereas, Newspapers have played a vital part in the
development of Indiana and the United States by providing
citizens with insight into developments occurring beyond the
confines of their daily lives: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly congratulates the
Vincennes Sun-Commercial on the occasion of the 200th anniversary
of its founding and wishes the staff continued success in the future.
SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
Representatives transmit copies of this resolution to Vickie K. Palmer,
publisher of the Vincennes Sun-Commercial, and Bernie Schmitt,
managing editor of the Vincennes Sun-Commercial.