Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of Pacific Daily News

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a remarkable milestone, the 75th anniversary of Pacific Daily News, known across Guam for generations simply as PDN.

For seventy-five years, PDN has chronicled life in Guam. Since its founding in 1950, it has stood as our island's paper of record, documenting our triumphs, our trials, and the everyday moments that define who we are as a people.

PDN emerged in the postwar era, at a time when Guam was rebuilding, redefining itself, and finding its voice in the modern world. In those early years, the paper helped connect families and lay the foundation for a more engaged and informed public. As Guam moved toward greater self-government, as new institutions took shape, and as our island evolved, PDN was there, recording history right as it unfolded.

PDN reported on the passage of the Organic Act, the growth of our civilian government, and the transformation of Guam from a war-scarred territory into a vibrant, modern community. It documented the rise of new industries, the opening of schools and hospitals, and the changing rhythms of island life. Page by page, year by year, PDN became a living archive of Guam's story.

Through typhoons and tragedies, elections and celebrations, conflicts and recoveries, PDN has remained a constant and reliable source of information, reporting from the front lines often when conditions were difficult and information scarce. In those moments, PDN helped our growing community stay informed, connected, and grounded.

At the same time, PDN has celebrated our joys. It has told the stories of our graduates and champions, our cultural festivals and community milestones. It has highlighted the achievements of our students, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs. It has preserved the voices of our elders and the aspirations of our youth. PDN has helped ensure that Guam is not invisible. It has given our island a platform, a mirror, and at times, a conscience. It has carried local concerns into the public and helped connect Guam to the wider world. For many beyond our shores, PDN has been their first window into life on our island.

Behind every headline is a team of dedicated professionals, reporters who chase the story, photographers who capture history in a single frame, editors who shape the narrative, and staff who work long hours to make sure each edition reaches readers. Their work often happens quietly, under tight deadlines and with limited resources, but its impact is felt across the island every day.

Journalism is not easy work. It requires persistence, integrity, and a willingness to ask hard questions. It demands accuracy in moments of urgency and fairness in moments of disagreement. Over 75 years PDN has carried that responsibility on behalf of the people of Guam.

In an era of rapid change, shifting media landscapes, and growing challenges for local journalism nationwide, PDN's endurance is a testament to both resilience and relevance. Seventy-five years in the industry is a measure of trust earned, credibility built, and service rendered.

Today, we honor not only an institution, but the generations of people who sustained it. We honor the stories that have been told, the history that has been preserved, and the countless readers who have turned to PDN to understand their world.

I congratulate Pacific Daily News on its 75th anniversary and thank them for their enduring service to our island. May PDN continue to inform, challenge, and serve our community for many years to come.

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