[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RADIO PIONEER BILL ZAK RETIRES FROM KTRH

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 1995

  Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to salute Bill 
Zak, radio pioneer who will soon retire after 45 years as a newscaster 
and host of ``Gardenline,'' a 6 day-a-week call-in gardening show on 
radio station KTRH Houston, TX.
  Bill Zak joined the staff of KTRH in 1951--a year before I was born--
after graduating from Texas A&M University, which I now proudly 
represent. Early in his career, Bill was assigned to the KTRH news 
department, and for a time he anchored the ``KTRH Morning News'' show 
with another budding journalist: Dan Rather.
  But it was gardening knowledge that Bill had, and it was gardening 
advice Houstonians needed. Few relationships have been so mutually 
beneficial.
  As you may know, gardeners in the greater Houston era endure 
torrential rains that can last for days; flooding; hurricanes; harsh 
heat and high humidity; and, occasionally, freezing cold. This variety 
creates a great many potential gardeners, but prevents many more from 
ever turning a spade of soil.
  For many, many years Bill Zak has rescued frustrated gardeners from 
botanical catastrophes, and has turned potential gardeners into actual 
gardeners. His expert advice and guidance have helped tens of thousands 
of Houstonians turn bare, sun-scorched lawns into oases of beauty.
  But Bill has done far more during his four and a half decades of 
broadcasting. During Hurricane Alicia, which hit Houston hard in 1983, 
Bill served as one of KTRH's primary voices--providing hundreds of 
thousands of listeners with life-saving information that enabled our 
community, and its residents, to get through that disaster. It was just 
one more instance of journalistic excellence that has made KTRH the 
authoritative radio news station in the Texas Gulf coast region, and it 
was just one more example of Bill Zak's commitment to his station and 
his community.
  I'm not sure how he managed to find the time, but Bill is also an 
author. His book, ``Critters,'' is a popular pictorials encyclopedia of 
the native insects of Texas--and there are plenty of them. He also has 
authored a similar publication in Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Zak's last day on the air at KTRH will be Friday, 
Dec. 22. I know that you join with me in wishing Bill and his wife of 
many years, Jean, well in the years ahead as they enjoy their 
retirement in the Houston area. I understand that following his 
retirement, Bill plans to spend his time reading, traveling, possibly 
writing another book and--not surprisingly--gardening. While he claims 
to be retiring, there are many Houstonians who know that old habits are 
hard to break and who suspect Bill's voice may yet be heard again on 
KTRH--providing news or gardening advice to his tens of thousands of 
loyal, longtime listeners.

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