U.S. commemorative stamps were issued for five distinguished American journalists, including Salazar, a Los Angeles Times columnist considered to be the first Mexican-American journalist to have a major voice in mainstream media.
“He served as a role model and inspiration for me and a generation of Latino journalists,” said Sotomayor, a staff editor at the L.A. Times for 35 years.
Salazar made significant contributions to American journalism as an LA Times reporter and commentator and as a pioneer in Spanish-language TV news.
"His legacy still burns strongly among countless journalists, educators and public servants who were inspired by his words," Sotomayor said.
Journalism and communication professor Félix Gutiérrez also spoke on an April 22 panel about Salazar at the Los Angeles Times building.
Other stamps are being issued for Martha Gellhorn, John Hersey, George Polk and Eric Sevareid. The ceremony was aired live by C-SPAN.
“These distinguished journalists risked their lives to record the events that shaped the modern world,” USPS Postmaster general John E. Potter said. “Their body of work stands as a towering monument to the importance of a free press.”
