[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 7 (Thursday, January 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S824-S825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        MEMORIAL TO BILL SMULLIN

  Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, with the passing of Bill Smullin, Oregon 
has lost another of its pioneers. Bill was for over 50 years a 
legendary figure in broadcasting and was, in the words of a National 
Association of Broadcasters chairman, ``a great standard-bearer for all 
broadcasters.''
  Growing up in the shadow of Mt. Hood as the son of homesteaders, Bill 
Smullin was one of the first newspapermen to make the transition to 
broadcasting. Acquiring first radio, then television and cable 
operations, Bill built his California Oregon Broadcasting Co. into a 
sophisticated, cutting-edge system which featured the best technology 
had to offer.
  Bill's interest in serving rural areas was avid. In an effort to 
ensure that smaller television markets had access to films, he helped 
form Television Station, Inc., in the 1960's, which bought and 
distributed films to rural stations. About the same time, Bill 
[[Page S825]] formed Pacific Teletronics, a microwave company which 
brought rural residents television programming from stations located 
hundreds of miles away.
  His contributions to the broadcasting profession's development were 
also numerous. He helped found and organize associations of 
broadcasting awards from both organizations. Five years ago he was 
named recipient of the National Association of Broadcaster's highest 
honor, the Distinguished Service Award. At a ceremony held during the 
NAB's annual convention, Bill was given the award commemorating his 
then-57 years of service to the industry. True to form, Bill used this 
forum not to reflect upon his personal successes and the advances of 
the broadcasting industry. Instead, Bill took the opportunity to share 
his concerns about congressional oversight actions were underway at 
that time.
  Bill Smullin was never one to rest on his many laurels. He gave much 
to the southern Oregon community where he made his home, to several 
educational institutions in Oregon and California, and to community 
hospitals. He was a legendary figure and a friend, and I send my 
sympathies to his family and friends as we mourn our loss.


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