[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E539-E540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PHIL WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Mr. Phil Walker, a Fort Collins, Colorado, native and 40-
year broadcaster for KCOL radio who has just been recognized as the 
Colorado Broadcasters Association Broadcast Citizen of the Year.
  This annual award is given to an individual who displays an 
outstanding record of community citizenship. Phil was selected for his 
tremendous service during Fort Collins' 1997 devastating flood when he 
stayed on the air non-stop for four days, broadcasting relief coverage 
and directing emergency assistance.
  However, Phil has been known to our community and his listeners long 
before last summer's flood. He started work at KCOL as a freshman at 
Fort Collins High School in 1957. Today, we start our weekday mornings 
at 6:00 a.m., hearing, ``Good morning everyone! How's my city? on News 
Talk 1410 AM, Monday through Friday. What better way to wake up than to 
hear this cheerful greeting emanating from a man who loves and knows 
his city, my hometown.
  Phil has been recognized as a visionary who constantly thinks about 
Fort Collins' future, but he also airs a very popular radio feature 
about the 200-year history of Fort Collins and northern Colorado, known 
as ``Visions Along the Poudre.'' As he proudly states, ``This is my 
home town,'' obviously giving him great insight and knowledge of the 
area.
  Phil has won numerous awards during his career including Best 
Regularly Scheduled Newscast by the Colorado Broadcasters Association 
in 1996; Best Broadcast Feature Writer in Colorado by the Society of 
Professional Journalists in 1994; and Best Radio Program in Colorado by 
the Broadcasters Association in 1980-83, 1989, and 1991-96; was chosen 
as the ``Best Local Author'' in the annual Coloradoan poll four years 
in a row for ``Visions Along the Poudre Valley;'' President's Award by 
the Fort Collins Historical Society in 1996; and this year, was chosen 
as the Honorary Historian for Larimer County by the Larimer County 
Commissioners.
  His community involvement is extensive as well, including being the 
founding member of the NewWestFest committee; creator of the Annual 
community Carolfest held during Christmas; administrator of the town's 
4th of July fireworks display for 15 years; established a fundraising 
program for the Fort Collins Museum; master of ceremonies for many 
charitable events; and was recently the Honorary Chairman of Riverfest, 
the annual celebration of the Poudre River.
  Recalling a conversation he had with his father as a youngster, he 
asked his dad, ``Why are you doing all this volunteer work? You don't 
get paid for doing it?''
  His dad responded, ``Well, it's my turn.''
  Phil asked, ``What does that mean,'' to which his dad said, ``If you 
keep your nose clean and live in this town for about forty more years, 
you'll know what it means.''

[[Page E540]]

  ``Well, it's been forty years and I know what he meant,'' said Phil.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to this very hardworking, 
civic-minded, selfless man who has contributed so much to this 
community. The Colorado Broadcasters ``Broadcast Citizen of the Year'' 
award is much deserved. He embodies the true American spirit.

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