DETROIT -- The Detroit Free Press newspaper is expected to make news Friday.

The newspaper will devote the entire front page to one editorial about the need for Congress to approve a bridge loan for Detroit's Big Three car companies, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

"They are the backbone of industry in this country," said Free Press columnist Stephen Henderson. "To our knowledge, this (special front page) has never happened before, not to this level."

Henderson said the special edition is needed. "The voice of the newspaper is out front tomorrow. Part of the reason we're doing that is because it's our job to lead," he said.

Henderson said the Free Press has covered the birth of the industry, the rise of the Motor City and the middle class of America. "All of those things are being threatened by the prospects of the failure of one of the Detroit automakers," he said.

Henderson said the front page editorial will urge members of Congress to take the automakers request for a bridge loan seriously and to give them the money they need.

Henderson said he doesn't believe people in Congress understand just how important the auto industry is to the rest of the country. "We're making it very, very clear tomorrow," he said.

Henderson said the special edition will be printed in Washington, D.C.

Henderson said they are also encouraging readers to call their lawmakers and ask them to approve the loan plan.