[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  CONGRESSMAN ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD CONGRATULATING HIT RADIO-100: KOKU, 
                AGANA FOR ITS STOP THE VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

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                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in my home district of Guam, we have been 
concerned with the increase in crime for many years now. The scourge of 
escalating violence and lawlessness has been on the rise nationally, 
with younger offenders and higher rates of recividism. However, I am 
very proud to tell you that we are fighting back, and one of our local 
radio stations has been leading the battle.
  On my island home, once not long ago, we had little lawlessness. Once 
our many ancestral lands, historic landmarks, and stately buildings 
were free of graffiti. Now unfortunately, we also have gangs and gang 
activity. These recent events so troubled radio station manager Ray 
Gibson at Hit Radio-100 that he took to the airways against the 
violence.
  In September 1993, prompted by students at the John F. Kennedy High 
School in Tumon, Guam, Gibson began the stop the violence campaign. The 
students elected him honorary chairman of SAVE--Students Against 
Violence for Education.
  The radio station made air time available for the students, but the 
kids were encouraged to come up with their own ad campaign. SAVE was 
formed by the kids, and it has become quite popular.
  Hit Radio-100 is a family radio station, and it promotes positive 
activities in the community. The stop the violence campaign featured 
peaceful get-togethers, park cleanups and an islandwide chain for 
peace. This was not a station promotion, but Gibson appeared at every 
function, provided musical entertainment, and gave funds for 
refreshments out of his own pocket.
  Since the strategy was gaining in popularity, Gibson next contacted 
some mainland radio stations and learned that no one else was doing 
anything like this. He shared our success with those DJ's in the hope 
that they will follow suit.
  Yes, Guam still has gangs, but Ray has started the process of 
diffusing the violent activities. Now, some of our island gangs are 
playing football in an organized league. Gibson paid for the uniforms.
  Yes, the gangs are still intact. Now they compete for air time and 
are judged on their creativity. Instead of marking the territory with 
graffiti, they perform what Gibson calls shoutouts.
  The group will get together at a location they choose, and the 
station will tape them shouting out a slogan. The one Gibson likes best 
is: ``Cease the violence, increase the peace.''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Hit Radio's station manager Ray 
Gibson, and all the kids involved in SAVE. In these times of increasing 
violence, it is important to know that there are young people who are 
trying to make changes for the better. It is important to recognize 
Guam's home for the future and best natural resource--its young people.

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