[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CARTER BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the 
Carter Broadcast Group, Inc., owner of KPRS-FM and KPRT-AM radio, the 
oldest African-American owned and operated radio station in America. 
This year they celebrate 50 years of excellence as one of Kansas 
City's, and the nation's, most established and respected broadcasters.
  In 1950, Andrew ``Skip'' Carter had a dream to build a black owned 
radio station in Kansas City that would serve the needs of his 
community. His station, KPRS-AM was only the second African-American 
station to receive a broadcast license from the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC). Operating with just 1,000 watts, it went on the air 
playing such artists as Ray Charles and James Brown. It had to go off 
the air at sundown because of the low wattage.
  In 1963 Skip Carter received a license from the FCC to operate a 
100,000 watt FM facility. In 1973, their stations became the first 
fully automated stations in the Midwest.
  Skip Carter and his wife, Mildred, had operated the two stations as a 
family business since their inception. Their grandson, Michael, had his 
own jazz show in the late 1960's at eight years of age. In 1987 Michael 
Carter was named President of KPRS Broadcasting Corporation by his 
grandfather to carry on the family tradition. The name was later 
changed to the Carter Broadcast Group, Inc. to honor Skip Carter's 
legacy.
  Between 1990 and 1996 KPRS advanced from the eighth rated station to 
the top rated station in the Kansas City market as measured by 
Arbitron. This recognition of the ``Hot 103 Jamz'' came about by the 
hard work and dedication of the total staff, which has been 
incorporated into the Carter Broadcast ``Family.'' There have been 
numerous accolades during their 50 years. Skip Carter was named to the 
Radio Hall of Fame, the station received a Crystal Award from the 
National Association of Broadcasters, a Griffin Award from the Missouri 
Broadcasters Association for Community Service, and their recent 
nomination for the Marconi Award from the National Association of 
Broadcasters which recognizes excellence in radio. Winners of the 
Marconi Award will be announced September 23 in San Francisco, our 
community will be cheering them as they are acknowledged and honored. 
They have been recognized for business successes and community service 
on many occasions. Three times they have been honored as a Top 10 Small 
Business of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 
the most recent being this past April. They have constantly stepped 
forward in the community in times of crisis. When children have been 
abducted, they have devoted live broadcast time to assist in finding 
them. They have lent their airwaves to help raise funds for community 
organizations such as the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime. In 1999 alone, 
the stations assisted more than 150 community organizations and aired 
10,000 community service spots.
  Saturday, July 22, the Carter Broadcast Group is having a ``50th 
Anniversary Gala.'' The proceeds from this event will benefit the St. 
Vincent's Day Care Center, which servies many of Kansas City's 
critically at risk children.
  In celebration of this significant milestone, I am honored to 
recognize Michael Carter and the Carter Broadcast Group's efforts and 
legacy. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Carter family 
and the entire organization for 50 years of service to the Greater 
Kansas City community.

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