Title
Honoring Zachary Stalberg on the occasion of his retirement as Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Body
WHEREAS, After 34 years with the People Paper and 20 years at its helm, Zachary Stalberg, the face, persona and heart of the Philadelphia Daily News, has announced his retirement, effective February 11, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Stalberg grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1964, received his bachelor's in liberal arts from Temple University, then served in the Army from 1968 through 1970 with two tours of duty in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Stalberg joined the Daily News in late 1971, and quickly became city editor in 1975, and then editor in 1984; and
WHEREAS, During Stalberg's tenure, the Daily News won two Pulitzer Prizes and was a recent finalist for a third, and in 1990 he was recognized with Knight-Ridder's greatest honor, the John S. Knight Gold Medal for overall excellence; and
WHEREAS, Zack has single-handedly re-invented the concept of civic journalism with typical Daily News attitude, or as Stalberg put it himself recently, “the Daily News has rethunk everything in Philly from beer at the stadiums to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway,” because if Zack decides that an issue can improve the quality of life of Philadelphians, the paper will shine its spotlight on the issue every day until there is resolution; and
WHEREAS, As his publisher recently noted, for more than 20 years as its editor, Zack Stalberg has personified the Daily News and its smart, aggressive, engaging, sometimes irreverent journalism that always sought to improve the lives of Philadelphians, and his departure raises the bar for those who will carry on that legacy; and
WHEREAS, Stalberg will continue to play a role with Knight-Ridder as a consultant and plans to stay in the Philadelphia area to “continue to make a difference in this city,” but his voice, his heart, and his passion will be missed by all who have been touched by it; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby honor and commend Zachary Stalberg on the occasion of his retirement from the Daily News.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Zack Stalberg as a token of evidence of this legislative body’s sincere appreciation for his contributions to the City and region.
End