[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E569-E570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WMUK RADIO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th Anniversary of 
one of the finest radio stations in my state of Michigan, and indeed 
the entire Midwest, WMUK, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
  Like many of our country's greatest institutions, WMUK had modest 
beginnings. In 1951, based on the campus of what was then Western 
Michigan College, WMUK was founded under the call letters WMCR. WMCR 
was only on the air for a few hours each day and early programming 
consisted of music and instructional programs. At the time, WMCR was a 
pioneer in radio. As such, it was the first FM station in Kalamazoo.
  Over the years, WMCR's development mirrored the growth of Kalamazoo. 
For example, in 1961, WMCR changed their call letters to WMUK to 
reflect Western Michigan College's name change to Western Michigan 
University. A few years later, in 1965 WMUK was the first radio station 
in Kalamazoo to begin broadcasting in stereo. Over the years, as the 
station's popularity has grown so has their signal strength. From a 
meager 400 watts in 1951, today, WMUK broadcasts at 50,000 watts.
  Today, after 50 years, WMUK is a cornerstone of the Kalamazoo 
community. I am pleased to say that WMUK is now on the air 21 hours a 
day offering a wide variety of programming to suit the diverse tastes 
of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that these remarks be made part of the permanent 
record of the

[[Page E570]]

Congress so that other public broadcasters can emulate the quality 
example that WMUK has set across our country.

                          ____________________