LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring THE CLARENCE BEE for its many years of
outstanding service upon the occasion of the celebration of its 75th
Anniversary

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes great pride in acknowledging organ-
izations and institutions which devote their mission and purpose to
informing and promoting the quality and character of life in the commu-
nities they serve; and
WHEREAS, THE CLARENCE BEE, a widely read and respected local newspa-
per, is an organization of such noble purpose and influence and is just-
ly due the honor and commendation of this Legislative Body and the
people of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, THE CLARENCE BEE traces its origin to THE GOOD NEWS PRESS,
founded by The Reverend Herman C. Beers in 1937 as a monthly publica-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Beers intended to turn it into a more frequent peri-
odical in 1943, but wartime gasoline rationing and a labor shortage
derailed his plans and he, instead, went to work for the Curtiss-Wright
aircraft corporation from January 1943 until July 1944, at which time,
he established THE CLARENCE PRESS, a monthly newspaper with a newsstand
price of eight cents per copy; and
WHEREAS, Classified ads were offered at the rate of 20 words for 35
cents and new subscribers received a free, 20-word classified ad with
their payment; and
WHEREAS, THE CLARENCE PRESS proudly upgraded to publishing on a weekly
basis on September 10, 1948, when Reverend Beers proclaimed in an
announcement on the front page that week: "You want the news while it is
still news -- hot off the griddle"; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Beers' son, Paul D. Beers, entered the family busi-
ness in 1950; he assumed control of THE PRESS nine years later, in 1959,
when his father, The Reverend Beers, who passed away in 1978, retired;
and
WHEREAS, In 1968, THE CLARENCE PRESS was purchased by George Measer
Jr., then publisher of Bee Group Newspapers; the name of THE CLARENCE
PRESS was changed to THE CLARENCE BEE on May 6, 1970; George Measer
retired in 1996, and his son, Trey, became Publisher; and
WHEREAS, THE GOOD NEWS PRESS filled a void in the community 75 years
ago and THE CLARENCE PRESS proudly continues that tradition; and
WHEREAS, Although much has changed in Clarence since the paper's
establishment, residents still have an eagerness for news and a strong
interest in promoting the community, its businesses and citizens; and
WHEREAS, Clarence remains a town where families and friends come
first, where success does not go unrewarded or unnoticed, and where
neighborhoods still thrive because people care about each other; and
WHEREAS, The staff and leadership of THE CLARENCE BEE value their
strong relationship with all the residents, organizations and cultural
elements of which Clarence in 2012 is comprised, and proudly remain
committed to maintaining that tradition and to serving the Clarence
community; and
WHEREAS, Spanning three-quarters of a century of scrupulous commit-
ment, THE CLARENCE BEE has served its readership with reporting of
substance and integrity, bringing information of relevance and interest
into the homes and workplaces of its readers and providing diverse
advertising and marketing opportunities to businesses and individuals
alike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, with
due cause and proper resolve, to pay tribute to THE CLARENCE BEE upon

the occasion of the celebration of its 75th Anniversary, recognizing and
commending it for the vital services it has performed for so many years
and for its exemplary dedication to the community it has served so well;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to THE CLARENCE BEE, Clarence Center, New York.