[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2502-E2503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CATHY HUGHES, FROM RAGS TO RICHES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, breaking the cycle of past racial 
discrimination has been a mission of African Americans across this 
country. Wishing for only an opportunity, great African Americans, in 
many fields and industries, have struggled to feed to this country and 
this world, the fruits of their talents and labor. In the process, many 
have tried and failed, but a few have beat the odds and have made a 
major impact. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of those who have 
crumbled the walls of bias and discrimination, is one of the Maryland 
7th District's brightest stars. Through the storm of discrimination 
against African Americans and women entrepreneurs, Catherine Hughes 
would not be defeated. She flew to high heights.
  Mrs. Hughes, the founder and chairwoman of Radio One, with her mind 
set on waking America to injustice, bigotry, and discrimination, has 
revolutionized the broadcasting industry from an African American point 
of view. Cathy Hughes had a dream--a dream to create an information-
based radio program geared towards the African American community. With 
very humble beginnings at Howard University's radio station, WHUR-FM, 
she set out to realize this dream.
  In 1979, Mrs. Hughes and her husband made their first venture into 
the unwelcoming world of broadcasting by purchasing WOL (AM) in 
Washington, DC. She aired a radio talk show, which she hosted wiht her 
husband. Although investors did not share her vision, Cathy Hughes 
struggled on in pursuit of her dream.
  In 1986, Mrs. Hughes made her first effort to expand. She attempted 
to form a ``community corporation'' to purchase WKYS (FM) from NBC, but 
couldn't raise the necessary funding before the company was sold. Still 
in pursuit of her dream, in 1997, she purchased WMMI (FM) in 
Washington. She also again pursued WKYS and in 1994, she finally 
purchased the station.
  Mrs. Hughes took advantage of her own business skills to build the 
foundation of her broadcast kingdom, and all the while, Mrs. Hughes 
never lost sight of her goal to inform. She remained active in 
protesting social and political issues; so much in fact, that many 
feared she would lose sponsors. However, she kept lending her voice to 
issues of concern to her community. She was strongly opposed to the 
Washington Post Magazine's decision to feature an African American 
rapper

[[Page E2503]]

accused of murder on their cover. She protested the indictment and 
imprisonment of former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, and the expulsion of 
Larry Young from the Maryland State Legislature. She also spoke out 
about several FCC telecommunications issues to help ensure that the 
door to the broadcast industry would not be closed behind her and that 
others could also pursue their dreams.
  Her dynamic achievements as a businesswoman didn't inhibit her from 
excelling in other arenas. Mrs. Hughes is a dedicated mother and role 
model, as evidenced by the recent takeover of business operations by 
her son Mr. Alfred C. Liggins III. Mr. Liggins, a graduate of The 
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania (1995), 
has taken his mother's company and expanded it to the powerhouse that 
it is today. He is a staunch businessman and makes the well-informed 
decisions that have boosted Radio One's stock to over $40 a share. 
Currently, Radio One is the largest chain of African American radio 
stations. Still, Mrs. Hughes and her son Mr. Liggins are not satisfied 
and continue in their flight to even greater achievements.
  Perhaps Mrs. Hughes' efforts are described best in the words of FCC 
chairman William Kennard; ``Her political beliefs and commitment to the 
community are the most important things in her life. She has been able 
to be a spokesperson for causes and still be successful * * *.'' Hughes 
lives by a ``Never give up, Stay and fight'' philosophy. She is a true 
fighter, not only for her dreams, but for her beliefs.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the 7th 
District, honor this inspirational American for her relentless refusal 
to be defeated and her efforts to soar to the highest heights.

``For she believes she can fly,
She believes she can touch the sky,
She thinks about it every night and day,
She spreads her wings and has flown away,
She believes she can soar,
She has run through that open door,
Yes, Mrs. Hughes you can fly!''

                          ____________________