[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 11 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S509-S510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CHICAGO'S BOB COLLINS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, before addressing the President's budget, 
I wish to address an issue that is more personal and a lot closer to 
home. Chicago lost a great friend yesterday, and I lost a great friend 
as well. Bob Collins, top-rated radio personality in the city of 
Chicago, died in an airplane crash that was reported around the Nation.
  Bob Collins was an extraordinary person. When you think of what 
creates a community, it is a person such as Bob Collins. His voice 
every morning in Chicago was a blend of wisdom and humor that really 
set people off on a good day. I can recall visiting his studios so many 
times and feeling right at home.
  Bob was a typical Chicagoan, a typical Midwesterner, and I think that 
is the reason for his success. Our thoughts, of course, today are with 
his family and his wife Christine, but we should reflect for a moment 
on the great contribution which this man made in over 25 years at radio 
station WGN.
  Great cities are made up of great people and Chicago is no exception. 
Bob Collins, at WGN Radio since 1974, was a combination of town crier, 
court jester, wise counselor, and fellow common man. A Shakespeare 
quote comes to mind: ``He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose.''
  He started at age 13 at a radio station in Lakeland, FL. When he was 
14, he had his own show, and radio was still at that time everyone's 
link to the world. Until the day he died, he remained Chicago 
residents' link to each other and to a wider community.

[[Page S510]]

  What was it about Bob Collins that made hundreds of thousands of 
Chicagoans tune in virtually every weekday morning? What was it about 
Bob Collins that enabled him not only to follow his fabled predecessor 
Wally Phillips, but to create his own following?
  Well, like Bob, it is fairly simple. In an age of political extremes 
and shock radio, we found in Bob Collins an observant, thoughtful, 
plain spoken but fair and common man who never lost touch with the 
community he loved. He connected with us and with the families across 
Illinois and Chicago who were his loyal fans. Shaving in the morning, 
drinking coffee, fighting the daily commute, Bob was there at our side.
  In addition to winning our ears and hearts, Bob's unparalleled 
ability to mix humor, human interest stories, and intelligent, 
thoughtful news won him award after award. His commitment to Chicago 
did not end when the microphone was turned off. He was always the 
champion of the little guy. He received the Salvation Army award known 
as ``The Other Award'' because of his spirit and his dedication.
  His hobbies included motorcycling and flying. He was a man who 
enjoyed life and every minute of it. WGN's Spike O'Dell signed on this 
morning and announced: WGN Radio, Chicago. This is the Bob Collins 
Show.'' These words remind us that mornings in Chicago will always 
belong to Bob Collins, and he will continue to ride and fly and laugh 
through all of our memories.
  Thank you, Uncle Bobby. Chicago is going to miss you.

                          ____________________