[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO KVEA-TV, CHANNEL 52

                                 ______


                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 1995

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it gives me the utmost pleasure to rise 
today to pay tribute to the wonderful people at KVEA-TV, channel 52, as 
they celebrate 10 years of quality service to the Spanish-speaking 
community in southern California.
  KVEA is a Los Angeles-based television station that is an affiliate 
on Telemundo, a national Spanish-language television network. Over the 
last 10 years, it has reached over 750,000 homes and served the Latino 
community through its Emmy award-winning newscasts, entertainment and 
most importantly, community outreach efforts.
  The vital work performed by KVEA makes it possible for members of the 
Latino community to connect and react to the social and political 
events around them.
  So, it should come as no surprise that when the frightening 6.7 
Northridge earthquake struck, the people at KVEA came to the rescue. 
Almost as soon as the tremor shook the Earth around Angelenos, the 
station responded with information, food and a 14-hour telethon to 
bolster the efforts of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
  When the wave of anti-immigrant sentiment surged during the 1994 
election, KVEA took a stand and denounced proposition 187. The station 
sponsored the Riverside Summit to increase awareness and propose plans 
to combat immigrant bashing. As the proposition 187 vote neared, KVEA 
employed its newscasts, public affairs programs and public service 
announcements to alert viewers of the harm that its passage might 
bring.
  Mr. Speaker, in southern California, KVEA is recognized as a leader 
in children's rights. It was the first and only station to broadcast 
the ``De Mi Corazon'' telethon to raise money for abused children. KVEA 
has also actively supported Walk America, a March of Dimes campaign for 
healthier babies.
  The station has certainly taken to heart its responsibility to 
educate and entertain the children of southern California. And as a 
next step, KVEA is developing its own locally-produced children's 
program.
  One of KVEA's proudest moments had to be September 30, 1995. On that 
day, 5,000 of our newest Americans decided to become full participating 
members of society through citizenship. The station was there from the 
beginning making this idea a reality. KVEA went the extra mile and 
donated 40 spots of air time during prime time programming to promote 
citizenship. The result: Absolute success.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past 10 years, KVEA has been there for my 
family and the residents of southern California. Today, I respectfully 
request that the House of Representatives join me in conveying to KVEA-
TV, channel 52, a heartfelt Happy Birthday and a sincere thank you for 
its service and achievements in America. May there be many more 
decennials to celebrate.

                          ____________________