[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E207-E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO WAY-FM'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor radio station WAYM-FM 
88.7 on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary.
  ``WAY-FM,'' the name by which it is best known, has truly made a 
difference in the lives of countless individuals throughout Middle 
Tennessee, and indeed, across the Nation on its national network of 
radio stations.
  I first became acquainted with WAY-FM through my daughters, Elizabeth 
and Rachel Clement, who loved to listen to the music of Contemporary 
Christian artists such as D.C. Talk, Third Day, Sonicflood, and 
Jennifer Knapp over the airwaves. Upon a personal visit to the station, 
I was immediately impressed with the work and mission of the staff and 
its uplifting vision to impact the lives of children, teenagers, 
college students and adults, under the moniker: ``WAY-FM, it is not 
just a radio station, it is a ministry.''
  Robert ``Bob'' and Felice Augsburg founded WAY-FM Media Group, Inc. 
in 1985. In the

[[Page E208]]

beginning, WAY-FM Media Group's sole purpose was to oversee the 
formation and operation of WAYJ, a non-commercial radio station in Fort 
Myers, Florida. The Board of Directors possessed a strong desire to 
establish a positive Christian radio alternative for the area'' youth 
and young adults. The impact of the new format was profound and 
immediate, resulting in tremendous growth.
  In the early 1990's, Bob Augsburg visited Nashville to garner and 
gauge support for a WAY-FM station in Nashville. Finding a foundation 
of support, Augsburg formulated a team and as a result, WAYM Nashville 
officially signed on the air on March 11, 1992 from studios in 
Franklin.
  The expansion of the ministry into Middle Tennessee and Northern 
Alabama enabled WAY-FM to broaden its mission of using radio to 
encourage youth and young adults in their Christian walk and to 
challenge them to make a difference in the world. Providing music as 
well as inspirational content, the station regularly opens its doors to 
area church youth groups allowing them to play guest deejay for a 
night. It also offers call-in programming for teens in crisis, numerous 
outreach programs and missions trips.
  Community involvement is not only a priority, to the ministry of 88.7 
WAY-FM, it is a core value. WAY-FM has sponsored many community events 
over the past ten years including record breaking food, blood, and 
winter clothing drives; collecting cell phones for S.A.V.E. (Survivors 
Against Violent Environments); promoting and sponsoring numerous 
concert events and free Brown Bag concerts; making van appearances at 
countless community events; providing mission trip opportunities for 
listeners; and most recently collecting several thousand Valentine's 
Day cards for the children at Madison Children's Home. All of these 
activities are in addition to the on air presence of sharing God's love 
and power through music, interviews and daily scripture readings. WAY-
FM believes in the work of local churches and supports their efforts 
through free Public Service Announcements.
  In the spring of 1998, WAY-FM began a fund drive to build a new 
facility to an outpouring of assistance from the community. This 
Brentwood location was completed in October 1999 with a move in to a 
virtually debt free facility due in part to the tremendous support of 
listeners and area businesses.
  WAY-FM has achieved success throughout Tennessee winning local awards 
for its quality programming, as well as awards from national 
organizations such as the Gospel Music Association (GMA) for Station of 
the Year honors. Its signal is now broadcast across the Southeastern 
United States and on satellite via Sky Angel, with expansion to the 
Western United States expected in the near future.
  May WAY-FM continue to grow and prosper as it changes lives through 
the ministry of music in the years to come.

                          ____________________