[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRADITIONAL COUNTRY FOR SIX DECADES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a small 
radio station with a big voice which has been broadcasting for six 
decades in Missouri. In Warrenton, Missouri, a small but growing 
community, Bill and Merle Zimmerman first established KWRE-AM-73, a 
radio station to serve the residents of east central Missouri 50 years 
ago. Playing tunes by Marty Robbins, Dottie West, and Jim Reeves, KWRE 
Radio officially hit the air waves in 1949 and has remained true to its 
motto of playing traditional country music ever since.
  I would like to take these few minutes, Mr. Speaker, to honor those 
at this humble radio station who have reached out to people in Warren 
County, as well as Lincoln, Montgomery, Gasconade and Franklin 
Counties, deep in the heartland of Missouri's Ninth Congressional 
District.
  Now, despite the demands of running a modern station, those at KWRE 
have maintained traditional homegrown values as their core operating 
method. As such, they have proven over the last 50 years that America 
still wants to hear wholesome traditional values and classic country 
songs.
  In 1962, this hometown tradition was carried on by Vern and Lillian 
Kasper. The Kaspers bought KWRE Radio and were able to modernize the 
broadcast facilities, increase the community services offered by the 
station, and air award-winning editorials and other public service 
programs.
  Those responsible for maintaining KWRE's traditional country image 
are people like Phil Summers, who brings a vast array of characters and 
endless trivia tidbits to the station's morning show each weekday. His 
award-winning show ranks as one of the best entertainment and local 
news shows in east central Missouri.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to highlight the quality of KWRE's 
morning programming. And currently, I and other locally-elected 
officials are regular guests on Mike Thomas' weekday ``Livewire'' 
program. ``Livewire'' is actually just that, a live wire. It covers a 
range of topics, from local school issues to international relations 
and everything in between. Every other week I am honored to be a guest 
on the ``Livewire'' show and help inform the listeners in east central 
Missouri about legislative action taking place here in our Nation's 
Capitol and how it affects folks at home.
  Overall, there are several programs on KWRE that focus primarily on 
news and information. The station broadcasts at least 15 daily news 
broadcasts to all six counties in east central Missouri.
  In addition to providing top-notch newscasts, KWRE is also known for 
its broadcast of agricultural information. And having grown up on a 
family farm in Missouri, I know firsthand how important it is to have 
up-to-date market information and how useful it can be for local 
farmers and those involved in agribusiness. KWRE does this as well as 
any and better than most.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, KWRE also acts as the public service medium to 
inform its listeners about upcoming nonprofit events listed on its free 
bulletin board. KWRE-73 Sports is the hometown sports voice for area 
schools, broadcasting approximately 60 high school football and 
basketball games each school year. The station broadcasts a live weekly 
sports show, ``Instant Replay,'' aimed at keeping the fan and sportsman 
in-the-know.
  In summary, KWRE accommodates all ages of east central Missouri's 
residents whether it is the annual Senior Citizens Fair and Exposition 
or the annual Children's Christmas Party giving away thousands of 
dollars in toys to area children. The canned goods given for admission 
are distributed to local charities in time for Christmas delivery.
  In conclusion, I want to express my admiration for those who have 
helped to maintain the hometown tradition since 1949. I wish KWRE in 
Warrenton, Missouri, all the best in their 50th anniversary celebration 
and hope they can continue to provide such wholesome, hometown coverage 
for east central Missouri for decades to come.

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