[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MISSOURI BROADCASTERS

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the Missouri 
radio and television stations for their contributions to public 
service. This year, in a survey conducted for the Missouri Broadcasting 
Association by Public Opinion Strategies, it was determined that 
Missouri Broadcasters aired $44 million worth of public service 
announcements (PSA) in 1997. This amount was fourth best among the 
thirty-eight states who participated.
  The survey reported that Missouri television stations air an average 
of 175 PSAs each week and radio stations air an average of seventy-five 
per week. That comes to a total of 18,775 PSAs weekly. Every television 
station and 94 percent of radio stations in Missouri participated in 
fundraising efforts for charitable organizations last year. Those 
organizations received a total of $17.3 million in charitable donations 
because of the on-air PSAs made by Missouri's broadcasters.
  The most frequent PSAs dealt with drug and alcohol prevention and 
abuse. Other common PSAs covered anti-crime efforts, hunger, poverty, 
the homeless, anti-violence and AIDS prevention. No other industry can 
make the impact that broadcasters can make. I am proud to say that the 
Missouri broadcasters are some of the best.
  I commend the Missouri broadcasters for their untiring dedication in 
helping charitable causes in Missouri. It does make a difference and 
people are benefitting from these broadcasters' efforts. I join the 
many who thank the Missouri broadcasters for their support throughout 
the year. Whether it be charities, weather warnings or public health 
announcements, I know the Missouri broadcasters will be on-air to lead 
the cause.

                          ____________________