[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. ____________________