Honoring those who pave the way...
The Texas Gulf Coast Press Association initiated the Hall of Honor in 2013 for its 75th anniversary.
Honor of Honor recipients are long-time members who have been active in their support of the association.
The first inductees were awarded posthumously to founders George Adkins of the Beeville Bee Picayune and Henry Reese III of the Gonzales Inquirer. Those awards were presented at the 2013 convention in Galveston and accepted by their grandchildren, Kasey Floyd of Gonzales and Jeff Latcham of Beeville, who with his brother Chip Latcham, own and continue to publish the Picayune. Descendants of other founders could not be located.
In 2014, Hall of Honor inductees accepted in person at the convention in Port Aransas. They were Alvin Holley of the Polk County Enterprise, Livingston; and Willis Webb, retired publisher of The Jasper Newsboy.
Recipient of the 2015 Hall of Honor was the late Nick West of the Palacios Beacon. His award was presented at the 77th annual convention in Galveston and accepted by his sisters, Debbie Reyna and Leah Eames, both of Dangerfield.
In 2016, Hall of Honor inductees were Mary Judson, Co-publisher of the Port Aransas South Jetty and Past President of TGCPA, and Don Reid, Jr., Past President of TGCPA.
Inductees to the Hall of Honor in 2017 were Chad Ferguson, The Banner Press Newspaper, Columbus; Greg Peak, The Polk County Enterprise, Livingston; and Adair Luker, Vidor Vidorian.
Nominations for the Hall of Honor may be submitted by Sept. 1 of each year to the chairman of the board of directors. The nominations should include the name of the person being nominated, a short bio of that person and reasons why the nominee should be considered. A Hall of Honor committee consisting of Alvin Holley and Mary Henkel Judson, the past year's recipients and the chairman of the board will consider all nominations and present its recommendation to the board at its annual October meeting.