[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING WTOP FOR 30 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
30th Anniversary of one of the area's finest news stations, WTOP, a 
station that has been a trustworthy and informative source of regional 
and national news since 1969.
  In our increasingly inter-connected society where technology has 
increased the speed at which information is collected, disseminated and 
analyzed, the importance of responsible journalism has become even more 
important. WTOP has maintained a reputation as an accurate news source 
by its reporting of events from Watergate to the recent impeachment 
trial; from Vietnam to conflicts in the Persian Gulf; from issues 
regarding the District of Columbia to the politics of my home State of 
Maryland. In addition to news accounts on these issues, WTOP always has 
weather, traffic and sports reports to complete its effective coverage. 
Much as CNN is the leader in television news coverage, WTOP leads the 
way in providing up-to-date radio news 24 hours a day.
  I would also like to commend the service of one individual in 
particular, WTOP's Congressional correspondent Dave McConnell, who has 
been with the station for almost 20 years. I have worked first-hand 
with Dave over the years and have the utmost respect for his 
journalistic integrity and his dedication to reporting the news in a 
precise yet understandable way. Indeed, his ``Today on the Hill'' 
broadcasts have provided listeners with the most up-to-date information 
on legislative activities on Capitol Hill by talking directly with 
members of Congress about the issues.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the 
professionalism of this station and its employees on this auspicious 
anniversary, and to extend my best wishes to WTOP for the next 30 years 
and beyond.

                          ____________________