Napo Monasterio/Assistant Copy Editor Steve Stewart, left, managing editor of the Decatur Daily, shakes hands with Jim Cox, chairman of the Hall of Honor committee, as he comes to share memories of his father, Bill Stewart.

Last weekend the Alabama Press Association honored Bill Stewart and Porter Harvey as the 86th and 87th inductees into the Newspaper Hall of Honor, located in Ralph B. Draughon library.

“Today, the APA inducts its first 90-year-old bungee jumper,” said Pete Pepinsky, executive director of University Relations, speaking of Harvey, founder of the Advertiser-Gleam in Guntersville.

“Being here has special meaning to those of us who knew the men inducted today,” said Joe Adams, president of the Alabama Press Association and publisher and editor of The Southern Star.

“We feel honored as part of their profession and part of the news family,” Adams said.

Jim Cox, chairman of the Hall of Honor committee, and publisher and editor of the Clarke County Democrat, said of Harvey and Stewart, “These men were from opposite ends of the state, but both men worked hard. “They were noted leaders in their industry, but also, well known and respected in their community.”

Cox said Harvey’s career spanned more than half a century.

“He believed if he followed his philosophy and worked hard enough, he would do all right, and he did do alright,” Cox said. “It is appropriate that we add Porter Harvey’s name to the list of editors and publishers that have shaped our industry.”

Sam Harvey, son of Porter Harvey, said “(Harvey) believed in writing news in a way that people would enjoy reading.

“He was one of the first in Alabama to treat blacks and whites the same in the way he handled news,” Harvey said.

Porter passed away in 1995.

Cox presented Sam with a plaque to commemorate Harvey’s induction into the Hall of Honor.

Bill Stewart, publisher of The Monroe Journal, was inducted after Harvey.

“(Stewart) believed in producing a quality newspaper,” Cox said. “He believed in standing up and doing what was right.”

Cox said Stewart stood up against racism when he ran a front page editorial confronting the Ku Klux Klan.

“I will always remember him with great fondness and respect,” Cox said. “He believed that if something is significant in (the reader’s) life, they should be able to read it in their newspaper.”

“He was a talented writer and editor,” Cox said. “He cared about the way the paper affected people.”

Felicia Mason, executive director of the Alabama Press Association said, “I want to thank you and all the people from Auburn University who help plan this every year.

“Auburn University has been host since 1964. We truly appreciate the attention Auburn gives to the APA.

“Seeing Bill Stewart and Porter Harvey eagerly giving was truly an inspiration to us,” Mason said.