HONORING MONICA R. RICHARDSON

On 2026-10-06, Representative Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL-24) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING MONICA R. RICHARDSON" in the House.

HONORING MONICA R. RICHARDSON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1031] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MONICA R. RICHARDSON ______ HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON of florida in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Monica R. Richardson, executive editor of the Miami Herald. Richardson, who is the first black person to serve in this role in the publication's 117- year history. She also oversees el Nuevo Herald and the Bradenton Herald, and serves as McClatchy's Florida regional editor. Ms. Richardson is the recipient of the 2022 5000 Role Models of Excellence Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award. Her historic January 1, 2021 appointment as executive editor was made during a critical period in American history when, in the aftermath of the cruel and senseless murder of George Floyd, millions of people across the nation experienced a racial reckoning that led to cries for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of life. Nearly six months after Mr. Floyd's death, she received a racist email from a reader that included derogatory and misogynistic slurs targeting her. Rather than sweep it under the rug, Richardson chose to address the email in a column and open a dialogue with Miami. ``Miami, who are we in times of challenge? Who are we right now? How are you using your voice?'' she wrote. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Richardson is a seasoned journalist and editor. Over the course of her 30-year career, she has worked at the Charlottesville Observer, Florida Times-Union, and the Lexington Herald-Leader. She joined McClatchy after spending 15 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as the newspaper's digital managing editor and senior managing editor. In a statement announcing Richardson's appointment as the Miami Herald's top editor, Kristin Roberts, McClatchy's senior vice president of news, praised her ``strong record of leadership in local journalism at one the great metro newsrooms in the country.'' Richardson has been a champion for diversity and inclusion in newsrooms. She has served as a leader for various journalism industry associations and as a juror to the national Pulitzer Prize board. A graduate of Old Dominion University, Richardson enjoys mentoring young journalists and seasoned professionals. She also is an advocate for foster care and adoption and adopted her daughter in 2014. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Monica Richardson for using her position as executive editor to give voice to stories that might otherwise not be told. ____________________