[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SALUTE TO KBBG-FM RADIO

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to salute an enterprise 
undertaken almost two decades ago by two community-oriented 
entrepreneurs in northeast Iowa. Declaring that radio for the Black 
community was an idea whose time had come, Jimmie Porter founded KBBG-
FM radio in 1977 with his partner, Warren Nash, Jr., in Waterloo, IA. 
Incorporated as Afro-American Community Broadcasting, Inc., KBBG's 
charter pledged to fulfill the needs, interests and wishes of ethnic 
minority people in northeast Iowa.
  KBBG has come a long way since its first equipment testing of 10 
watts on July 26, 1978. On its first full day of broadcasting that 
August, KBBG reached a 4 to 5 mile radius. Today, the radio station 
boasts a 60-mile radius, 10,000 watts, and 11 employees.
  The largest African American owned and operated noncommercial 
educational radio station in my State of Iowa, KBBG Radio has provided 
almost $1.8 million of public service announcements for nonprofit 
organizations in the last 8 years.
  Mr. President, I proudly commend KBBG Radio, its owners and its 
employees for providing a valuable service to the Waterloo and Cedar 
Falls metro area and to northeast Iowa.
  A model of self-development and community outreach, KBBG continues to 
build on its well-served motto, communicate to educate. Mr. President, 
I thank and congratulate KBBG for 18 years of service and extend my 
wishes for continued success in the future.

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