[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LARRY ELDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, Larry Elder is the top radio personality in 
Los Angeles. His drive-time radio show is heard by about 400,000 people 
per day, and an average of 72,000 people tune in at any given time. In 
overall audience, he trails only a few of the nation's best-known, 
nationally-syndicated hosts. Why is Larry Elder so popular? Because he 
thoughtfully espouses a message which stresses the importance of 
accountability, individual responsibility, and hard-work as keys to 
success.
  Larry grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and he is now the self-
proclaimed ``Sage of South Central.'' He attended law school at the 
University of Michigan, and later worked as an executive headhunter in 
Cleveland before his radio talents were discovered. Cleveland's loss 
has become Los Angeles's gain. Larry has appeared on KABC radio for 
nearly 5 years, and his popularity has consistently grown.
  One of the reasons for Larry's devoted following is that his views 
are often contrary to those espoused by other nationally-recognized 
African-American leaders. He argues that big government and excessive 
regulation inhibit economic growth. He supports school choice as a way 
to ensure that the children of lower-income families have access to 
good schools. Larry argues that the biggest problem for minorities in 
America is not white racism, but illegitimacy, which is fostered by a 
welfare state that liberal leaders have fought to preserve and expand.
  Larry has survived and thrived in America's second-largest radio 
market despite a lengthy boycott aimed at depriving his show of 
important advertisers and forcing him off the air. This experience 
prompted Forbes magazine recently to note that ``Larry Elder is one of 
a group of black dissenters who are winning public attention. 
Nevertheless, the business community is nervous of them: They fear 
arousing the wrath of pressure groups that can muster street 
boycotts.'' Despite concerns among sponsors about the shopping habits 
of those who want Larry off the air, the boycott seems only to have 
increased his popularity, and he is now looking toward a syndicated 
radio show, and possibly a book and television contract. Soon, the rest 
of the United States will benefit from the insight and humor of my 
friend, Larry Elder.
  Mr. Speaker, Larry Elder is thoughtful and entertaining, and even his 
staunchest critics concede that his ideas merit serious debate. I 
believe that if more Americans took to heart his message of self-
reliance, accountability and equal treatment, we would make great 
strides toward empowering the weakest in our society to improve their 
own lives through better education, safer neighborhoods, and enhanced 
economic opportunity. In turn, it would allow us to focus public 
resources on those who truly need assistance.

                          ____________________