[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 145 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING RONN OWENS FOR RECEIVING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 
                      BROADCASTERS' MARCONI AWARD

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                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ronn Owens, who 
received the National Association of Broadcasters' prestigious Marconi 
Award for major market personality of the year on October 2, 2003.
  Ronn Owens began his broadcast career in 1968, hosting radio programs 
in Atlanta, Miami, Cleveland, and Philadelphia before moving to the Bay 
Area and KGO in 1975.
  Over his thirty-five year radio career, Ronn Owens has established 
himself as the host of the most compelling and thought-provoking 
morning talk show in Northern California. A half-million fans tune into 
The Ronn Owens Show every morning to hear his opinions on a range of 
issues, from popular culture and gossip to current events and politics. 
He refers to his show as ``the ultimate town meeting.''
  Ronn's guest list reads like a roster of Who's Who among world 
leaders, top celebrities, personalities, and newsmakers of the day. He 
has brought his devoted Bay Area audience numerous political figures, 
such as Al and Tipper Gore, John McCain, Bill Bradley, and Ralph Nader 
and celebrity personalities, such as tennis player Andre Agassi, 
theatrical legend Carol Channing, and attorney Johnnie Cochran. Ronn is 
the newsmen's news man. He has interviewed ABC News anchor Peter 
Jennings, veteran Washington Correspondent for ABC News Sam Donaldson, 
NBC's Washington Bureau Chief and Meet the Press host Tim Russert, 
Hardball host Chris Matthews, and CNN's Wolf Blitzer, to name a few.
  Ronn Owens' sense of humor, directness, and intellect has made him a 
legend in the morning radio talk show industry. Ronn is quoted as 
saying that he is ``just like everybody else--I look at the world 
around me and comment on it.'' His fans will forever love Ronn as the 
man who tickled their funny bones, increased their awareness of 
national and local issues, and opened their hearts and minds.
  Before being elected to Congress, I was a Ronn Owens listener. Over 
the past seven years, I have gotten to know Ronn as a guest on his 
show, and I have come to respect him a great deal. I have always found 
him to be insightful, funny and--even when we are at opposite ends of 
an issue--fair.
  Congratulations, Ronn, on thirty-five years and the Marconi Award. 
Here's to thirty-five more.

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