[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING R.H. ``ANDY'' ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a man 
with a distinguished record of community service in the state of 
Washington. R.H. Anderson is set to retire after an exemplary career 
that has spanned six decades. His colleagues and friends know him as 
Andy. The people of the Second Congressional District also know him as 
a dedicated public servant who has worked to improve the quality of 
life for thousands of residents and businesses in Washington State.
  A graduate of Seattle's Lincoln High School, Andy began his career as 
a photojournalist. He began learning about the world of politics as a 
student at the University of Washington when he was assigned to cover 
the HUAC hearings being held in Seattle.
  Andy developed a love of radio and began spending time at a local 
jazz station. Soon he was doing odd jobs such as pulling records for 
late night disc jockey Bill Apple at KRSC, a radio station in Seattle. 
Apple soon recognized that Andy had real talent and a tremendous voice 
for radio. Andy began doing some news stories on the air, unpaid at 
first, before landing a job on the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. slot.
  Andy was then hired at Seattle radio station KVI, which had a jazz 
format at the time, as a temporary replacement for their regular disc 
jockey. Upon the return of the regular broadcaster, Andy found a niche 
at Everett station KRKO, where he was hired as a newscaster. His love 
of politics had been ignited while covering the HUAC hearings, and Andy 
was delighted to be covering the political world.
  Andy began working at Bellingham radio and television station KVOS in 
1955. He was on the cutting edge of the television era, and began 
covering politics and elections on camera. Andy could finally show his 
community the political universe that he had been describing with his 
voice for nearly a decade. In 1956, KVOS hired a young radio announcer 
by the name of Al Swift. Andy and Al formed a close friendship during 
their work together.
  In 1965 Andy worked in Canada as an assistant to the president of 
Canawest Film Productions, an arm of KVOS. Andy wrote scripts and 
produced feature films, commercials, and corporate films. Andy moved 
back to Bellingham in 1976 and back into his role as news director 
after Al Swift left KVOS to work for Representative Lloyd Meeds.
  Andy set up a major news organization at KVOS TV. His efforts brought 
a sizable viewing audience to local news programming, providing a great 
lead-in audience to the CBS evening news. The news department ran 
soundly under Andy's direction until 1983, when KVOS was sold and the 
news department eliminated.
  Andy's old friend Al Swift, meanwhile, had been serving as a Member 
of Congress since 1979. Swift's District Manager, Bill McDonald, had 
passed away and Al Swift hired Andy as his new District Manager.
  While serving as District Manager for Congressman Al Swift, Andy was 
instrumental in creating the PACE (now NEXUS) lane for frequent 
travelers between the United States and Canada. This expanded trade and 
reduced waiting time at the border. Thousands of individuals and 
businesses benefited from Andy's involvement in bringing rapid travel 
between the two nations.
  After Congressman Swift chose to retire in 1994, Andy began a 
consulting business that he successfully ran for several years. Andy 
then retired but still maintained a burning desire for public service.
  After I won election to Congress in 2000, I asked Andy to come out of 
retirement to join my team. For the past three years, he served as 
director of my Bellingham office, representing me in the northern area 
of my district. His tireless and outstanding efforts on behalf of the 
people of Washington's Second Congressional District are legendary and 
will be truly missed.
  Andy's career in public service can be measured not only in economic 
benefits, but also in the amount of improved quality he brought to the 
lives of those in the region. He was always available to answer a 
question, investigate and solve a problem, and to champion programs to 
help the residents of Washington state.
  Mr. Speaker, Andy's friends, colleagues, and family are holding 
numerous gatherings to celebrate his great career. I am honored to pay 
tribute to Andy Anderson, a true friend and a dedicated public servant. 
His direct work with the public may be ending, but the public will 
always know the impact of his service. The achievements of Andy 
Anderson will be felt for many decades due to his passion for improving 
the lives of his fellow residents. I ask all of my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Andy on his fine career and his unwavering 
commitment to Washington State, and our nation.

                          ____________________