HONORING THE SKANNER AND ITS LEGACY

On 2026-02-11, Representative Maxine Dexter (D-OR-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE SKANNER AND ITS LEGACY" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered trade policy, labor policy.

HONORING THE SKANNER AND ITS LEGACY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 29 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E128-E129] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE SKANNER AND ITS LEGACY ______ HON. MAXINE DEXTER of oregon in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of an Oregon institution, Portland's Black-owned newspaper, The Skanner, which ceased production on January 30, 2026, after 50 years of journalistic excellence. Since 1975, The Skanner has been providing important news and information, covering city, state, and national issues, interviews with political candidates, and never shrinking from holding public officials accountable. An irreplaceable cornerstone of Oregon's news environment, The Skanner became the largest Black newspaper in the Pacific Northwest. Founded by Bernie Foster and Bobbie Dore Foster, The Skanner was created to reach and uplift Black Portlanders through community- centered journalism. The paper was built on the conviction that authentic storytelling comes from within the community itself. As Bobbie Foster has often shared, the legacy of The Skanner lies in fostering pride in Black business ownership, strengthening engagement with local journalism, and providing news that reflects the voices, values, and perspectives of the community. Over its time in print, The Skanner was instrumental in the renaming of Union Avenue in the 1980s and 1990s to be called Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard. Additionally, articles published by the paper in 2015 led to Henry Lincoln Johnson, a World War I hero, posthumously receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. As a former student journalist, I know how powerful local reporting is. It informs. It connects. It brings to light stories that would otherwise be left in darkness. The Skanner faithfully served the Pacific Northwest for 50 years, and its absence will be deeply felt. I thank the journalists, editors, photographers, and staff--past and present--for their service to our state and commitment to the pursuit of justice. [[Page E129]] ____________________