U.S. House honors Monitor's centennial

Resolution cites 'unselfish service through journalism'

from the October 7, 2008 edition

On Sept. 27, the US House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution recognizing The Christian Science Monitor on its centennial. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R) of Texas who once served on the Monitor staff. It was cosponsored by 40 other members of Congress.

The resolution speaks to the fact that the Monitor continues to be an important resource in Washington and for people around the world. Below is the text of Resolution 1494:

Whereas on November 25, 1908, the 1st edition of The Christian Science Monitor was printed in Boston's Back Bay;

Whereas just over 100 days before The Monitor's 1st edition, its founder, Mary Baker Eddy, then 87 years old, told officers of her church to "start a daily newspaper at once";

Whereas Mrs. Eddy wanted The Monitor to blaze a path of unselfish service through journalism;

Whereas Mrs. Eddy, who had been the subject of inaccurate stories in the press, set as The Monitor's mission "to injure no man, but to bless all mankind";

Whereas The Monitor followed the first editor's request that the paper "cover the daily activities of the entire world" and "appeal to good men and women everywhere who are interested in the betterment of all human conditions";

Whereas The Monitor's focus was never local or denominational;

Whereas The Monitor is distributed to readers in all 50 States in print and online and has received worldwide respect for its international news coverage;

Whereas Mrs. Eddy became the first American woman to launch a lasting, general interest newspaper;

Whereas The Monitor has been honored with numerous major awards including seven Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in journalism; and

Whereas since 1966 The Monitor has sponsored 3,600 Washington newsmaker breakfasts, whose guests have included countless cabinet officers and congressional leaders, four presidents, and five vice presidents: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 100th anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor.