[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 3 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S237-S238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL RADIO MONTH

   Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the role 
of the radio broadcasting community in my home state of Minnesota. I 
cannot think of a more appropriate time to reflect upon how radio 
affects our daily lives than during ``National Radio Month.''
  This year marks the 78th anniversary of radio in the United States. 
Throughout this time, radio has become an influential medium in the 
lives of most Americans. Today, there are over 12,200 radios in the 
U.S. According to the Radio Advertising Bureau, people listen to radio 
an average of 3 hours and 12 minutes on weekdays, and 4 hours and 42 
minutes on weekends. Four out of five motorists are listening to the 
radio while driving, and 61.7 percent are tuned into radio during TV's 
prime-time hours.
  As a former broadcaster, I certainly understand the extraordinary 
influence

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and unselfish nature of radio. Radio broadcasts serve a variety of 
purposes. Radio communicates with listeners during time of emergency, 
informs them of noteworthy community events such as fundraising drives, 
educates them about developing stories and current events, entertains 
during long drives across our states, and serves as a calming influence 
during the most trying times in our lives. Finally, radio plays a key 
role in preserving our vibrant democracy by encouraging their audiences 
to vote, and running special segments about candidates and their 
platforms.
  The public affairs activities of Minnesota's radio stations have been 
underscored by a recent Minnesota Broadcasters Association survey of 
radio executives in which 50 percent of radio stations responded. 
First, 95 percent of radio stations have helped charities, charitable 
causes or needy individuals through fundraising and other types of 
support. Second, radio stations run a median of 100 public service 
announcements each week, highlighting issues such as flood and disaster 
relief efforts, AIDS awareness, safety campaigns, drunk driving, and 
drug and crime education programs. Finally, 71 percent of radio 
stations aired a local political affairs program or segment dealing 
with the 1996 elections.
  Mr. President, there are 242 radio stations in Minnesota. Each of 
these stations has made unique and vital contributions toward serving 
their communities and interacting with listeners. I am proud to say 
that in some instances, these efforts have been recognized by the 
Minnesota Broadcasters Association through their ``Media Best Awards'' 
and by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) annual ``Crystal 
Radio Awards.''
  The ``Crystal Radio Awards'' have been issued by NAB since 1987 to 
shine the national spotlight on those radio stations that have 
demonstrated a year-round commitment to providing responsive, 
individual service to the cities, counties and towns they serve. I am 
pleased to note that since 1989, Minnesota radio stations have received 
this great honor on eleven different occasions. These stations are 
WJON-AM in St. Cloud, KBHP-FM in Bedmidji (twice), KSJN-FM in St. Paul, 
WWTC-AM, WCCO-AM, KQRS-FM/AM in Minneapolis (twice), KCUE-AM in Red 
Wing, KWOA-AM in Worthington, and WLTE-FM in Minneapolis.
  The Minnesota Broadcasters Association recently recognized public 
service announcements broadcast by KAUS and KDWB, the ``Flood of '97'' 
community service program by KDMA/KMGM, and MNN Radio Networks hard 
news coverage during this past years' floods which disrupted the lives 
of hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. And for those fans who have 
agonized over a potential departure of our beloved Twins, WMNN provided 
an important venue for people to voice their opinions through the 
station's ``Twins Stadium Open Forum.''
  Additional past noteworthy accomplishments include efforts by WJON-AM 
and its two sister stations in St. Cloud to raise money to buy 
bulletproof vests for the police departments. Its goal was $50,000, but 
ultimately raised $75,000. And stations 92 KQRS-FM and 93.7 KEGE-FM in 
Minneapolis have worked with Minnesota Job Services to set up a free 
interactive telephone hotline to connect employers with qualified 
applicants. Amazingly, this service registers 10,000 calls each month. 
Last year, Minnesota radio and television stations raised $1.6 million 
for flood relief efforts and produced a video titled ``Beyond the 
Flood'' donating the profits to flood victims.
  Through disaster relief efforts, holiday safety initiatives, fund-
raising drives, school announcements, and weather emergencies, 
Minnesota radio broadcasters have demonstrated their commitment and 
dedication to public service. I am proud of the leadership shown by 
each of these stations, and am pleased to have shared their 
accomplishments with the Senate.

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