[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WAMU 88.5 FM--A COMMUNITY RESOURCE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2001

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of a valued 
and long-time resource for the residents of the District of Columbia, 
WAMU, one of the nation's leading public radio stations. In addition to 
its nationwide audience, WAMU has served nearly half a million 
listeners in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas for forty 
years, with award-winning news and public affairs programming by its 
celebrated talk show hosts Diane Rehm, Kojo Nnamdi of Public Interest, 
local hosts David Furst of Metro Connection and Lakshmi Singh of All 
Things Considered, and our own indispensable local D.C. political 
pundit Mark Plotkin.
  In response to the overwhelming views of its listeners and 
subscribers, WAMU 88.5 FM recently altered its weekday format to 
include more public affairs programming. To the station's credit, WAMU 
nevertheless found a way to preserve the bluegrass programming for 
which the station is also known. Members of the House and Senate and 
the station's listeners nationwide, who depend on WAMU for the best 
public affairs programming on the air will be happy about the expanded 
public affairs programs. At the same time, we commend WAMU for its 
sensitivity in finding a way to continue a healthy dose of bluegrass 
music.
  WAMU is an important part of community life here, and prides itself 
on being the ``voice of the community'' to those of us who live and 
work in the greater Washington area. Increased news coverage in the 
nation's capital, especially with a local focus during national 
broadcasts is especially needed and welcomed by those of us who call 
this area home--where we educate our children, volunteer to help, pay 
taxes, attend church services, take part in the arts, and do all the 
things that make the Washington area vibrant and vital.
  This is radio at its most substantive, thoughtful and interesting 
best. WAMU recently added even more news programming to serve the needs 
of this diverse and unique Washington audience, because it has a 
special responsibility to inform, educate and raise the level of 
conversation on the issues of our day. WAMU takes its shows into the 
community, with Public Interest and The DC Politics Hour broadcasting 
live from every ward in the city to hear the opinions of city residents 
on issues of critical importance to them and their neighborhoods. The 
station also participates in hosting and sponsoring myriad non-profit 
arts, education, ethnic and cultural events in the city every year.
  I applaud the news and information programming additions, and commend 
WAMU for its extensive and long standing service to our area. As WAMU 
celebrates 40 years of broadcasting, we look forward to its continued 
presence for many years to come. WAMU remains an award winning resource 
for the residents of the Washington area.

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