[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ``BUCK'' LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 1998, D.H. ``Buck'' Long will 
retire from his long-time service as President and General Manager of 
WKRG-TV, Inc., the CBS affiliate in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama.
  For over 30 years, Buck has been an innovator in the broadcasting 
industry, always keeping his station on the cutting edge of technology. 
Furthermore, he has set an example for his peers and employees alike by 
giving much back to his community. Quite frankly, Buck's service to the 
Mobile area has been unrivaled in many ways.
  Buck Long was born on April 9, 1929 in Spartanburg, S.C., where he 
attended Spartanburg High School. Soon after graduation, he moved to 
Mobile to attend Springhill College in 1947. As a student at 
Springhill, Buck worked part-time as a record librarian, station-break 
announcer and disc-jockey at WMOB Radio, which marked his first job in 
the broadcasting field to which his father had introduced him years 
before as a young child.
  In 1950, Buck became the nighttime announcer and disc-jockey at WABB 
Radio where he became known as the host of ``Buck Back Room.'' With his 
ingenious business style and optimistic attitude, Buck sold his show to 
the listeners of Mobile who grew to appreciate and admire not only the 
show but also the announcer. In return for his hard work and success 
with the show, WABB promoted Buck to the position of full-time sales 
associate the following year and by 1955, he was named local sales 
manager at WABB.
  After his initial success in radio, Buck left the station in 1957 and 
became an account executive with Jack Lewis Advertising. Two years 
later, in 1959, he joined the sales department at WKRG-TV. That year 
marked the beginning of what would turn into a long and dedicated 
relationship with the WKRG corporate family.
  In 1967, Buck Long was promoted to local sales manager as a reward 
for his hard work. A few years later, he was elected Vice President, 
and later Senior Vice President, of WKRG. In 1982, Buck was once again 
elevated, this time to Executive Vice President and Station Manager. 
Finally, on January 1, 1986, the Board of Directors of AM-FM radio 
stations.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Buck has always demonstrated his 
genuine concern for the Mobile community through his commitment to 
quality family programming. In addition, Buck has also believed the 
public deserves to be kept informed with a top notch news department 
and a public affairs division that is second to none. Along these 
lines, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one such program, The Gulf 
Coast Congressional Report, which has been a mainstay on WKRG for more 
than 20 years. In fact, with Buck's strong support, several of my 
colleagues and I, most notably former Congressman Earl Hutto and the 
Senate Majority Leader, Trent Lott, have been able to appear on WKRG on 
a regular basis keeping the viewing audience in Northwest Florida, 
Southwest Alabama and the Mississippi Gulf Coast informed on the latest 
news coming out of Washington.
  As you can imagine, Buck Long has received numerous awards over the 
years but three in particular stand out. Not long ago, the Alabama 
Broadcasting Association named Buck Alabama Broadcaster of the Year. In 
addition, he has also been named a Paul Harris Fellow from the Mobile 
Rotary Club and an Honorary Fellow to the University of Mobile.
  Buck resides in Mobile with his wife, the former Sara Kerr. Their 
daughter, Karen St. Clair, also lives in Mobile with her husband 
Jeffrey Miles St. Clair, and their children, Sara, Katherine and 
Andrew.
  Mr. Speaker, Buck Long is a good friend but more than that, he is a 
good citizen. His leadership in our community and at WKRG serves as an 
inspiration to young and old alike, and it is indeed a pleasure for me, 
as his congressman, to enter this recognition in the Congressional 
Record, so that on behalf of his viewing audience and my constituents, 
a proper ``thank you'' for his many efforts to make Mobile and South 
Alabama a better place can be duly noted. And to Buck and Sara, here's 
for many more years of success, good health and happiness in all your 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________