U.S. Sen. Barack Obama Speaks at the IPA News / Editorial Convention

Complete text of an article written by Denise Guttery in the Nov. 15, 2005, edition of Illinois PressLines, where Obama talked about his support for a shield law and said he would sponsor the bill.

   U.S. Sen. Barack Obama attended the Illinois Press Association Award Luncheon on Oct. 14, 2005 as the keynote speaker.

   Obama began with a brief chance to celebrate the success of the Chicago White Sox, who at the time were playing in the American League championship.

   He threw out the first pitch at game two against the Anaheim Angels and compared it to delivering the keynote political speech last summer.

   “I was more nervous than I was before the Democratic National Convention.” He said.  “Because I know I can talk, but it’s been awhile since I pitched a baseball.”

   Obama turned to more serious topics of discussion, talking about the rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina and his sponsoring of a federal “shield” law in Congress.

   To pay for the rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, Obama suggested spending cuts and higher taxes.

   He does not believe President Bush is racist or that the federal government responded poorly to Katrina because many of its victims were black.

   “There should be some common ground we can arrive at where everybody has to do a little bit that hurts in order to make sure we’re not burdening our children.”  he said.

   Rebuilding New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast could cost $150 billion.

   Obama praised the media’s conduct in reporting Katrina.  Asking, “If the media could get there, why couldn’t the federal government?”

   He challenged journalists to move away from stories that simply report charges and counter charges and instead help tell the public which charges are true and which are false.

   “You don’t have to chose sides,” he said.  “But to name things as they are, to speak the truth is incredible powerful.”

   Obama promised to sponsor a federal “shield” law that would protect reporters from having to divulge the names of confidential sources.

   But he was not optimistic that it would find support among Congress’ Republican leaders or the Bush White House, which he called “the most secretive administration at least since Richard Nixon’s and perhaps outdoes Nixon in some ways.”

   Following his address to members of the Illinois Press Association, Obama answered several questions and deflected questions about any presidential aspirations he might have, saying that reporters need to take that subject up with his wife.

   Obama went on to say that he has gone beyond the life and the expectations he recorded in his autobiography and as long as he does good stuff, other things will take care of themselves.

   “It was a great honor to have Senator Obama address our convention this year.  The IPA was fortunate to have worked with Senator Obama during his tenure in the Illinois General Assembly,” said IPA Executive Director David Bennett.  “In fact, he was the lead sponsor on the historic “verbatim record” bill that amended the Open Meetings Act.  His belief in open government and in the public’s right to know is important, and we are confident he will sustain those values during his time in the United States Senate.”