[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WCCO RADIO HAS BEEN A ``GOOD NEIGHBOR'' TO MINNESOTANS FOR 80 YEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a legendary 
Minnesota institution, WCCO Radio, which is celebrating its 80th 
Anniversary.
  WCCO officially went on the air on October 2, 1924, broadcasting from 
a tower in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, now in the Third Congressional 
District. WCCO was the largest radio station west of the Mississippi. 
Named for the Washburn Crosby Company, WCCO was the second radio 
station (and first for-profit commercial broadcaster) in the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been a ``Good Neighbor'' to all Minnesotans and 
the entire Upper Midwest, and this historic milestone is truly 
deserving of special recognition.
  For eight decades, Minnesotans have tuned to 830 on the dial to keep 
up on the news, sports, school closings, blizzards, heat waves, 
tornadoes, floods, election results, community celebrations, farm 
prices, health tips, market updates and world events.
  WCCO gives us what we need, when we need it.
  WCCO has always nurtured our better instincts, raising money and 
volunteers to help countless charities, veterans groups, churches, 
synagogues, civic efforts, storm cleanups and people in need. WCCO has 
always embodied public service of the highest order!
  Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been Minnesota's bulletin board for 
generations. Our grandparents and parents and children have counted on 
WCCO to deliver us what we need to know. And the family of WCCO 
employees who have provided this tremendous public service need to know 
how much we appreciate their hard work through the years.
  The voices heard on WCCO Radio over the years are legendary to all 
Minnesotans, good neighbors to us all. They have been like members of 
the family: Cedric Adams, Halsey Hall, Bob De Haven, Joyce Lamont, 
Howard Viken, Dick Chapman, Jim Bormann, Ron Handberg, Clayton Kaufman, 
Ray Christensen, Steve Cannon, Charley Boone, Roger Erickson, Jergen 
Nash, Sid Hartman, Randy Merriman, Paul Giel, Maynard Speece, Chuck 
Lilligren, Roger Strom, Dave Lee, Eric Eskola, Mike Lynch, Sue 
Zelickson, Ruth Koscielak, Bruce Hagevik, Rich Holter, Telly Mamayek, 
Jeff McKinney, Steve Enck, Adam Carter, Angela Babb, Rita Maloney, Russ 
Knuth, Steve Murphy, Susie Jones, Tim Russell, Denny Long, Bill Diehl, 
Pat Miles, Dave Mona, Dark Star, Don Shelby, John Gordon, Patty 
Peterson, Mike Max, Al Malmberg, Kim Jeffries, Dan Gladden, Dan Terhaar 
and so many others.
  What friends they have been to all Minnesotans, as we have truly been 
blessed with their enduring talents and commitment to excellence in 
broadcasting.
  WCCO's tradition of excellence and service to the community have been 
truly remarkable. From recognizing public service with its ``Good 
Neighbor Award'' to offering accurate, comprehensive news and 
information, WCCO Radio has achieved an unparalleled level of trust 
with its loyal listening audience. WCCO truly connects with its 
listeners in a special, personal way.
  Mr. Speaker, the trust that exists between WCCO and its listeners is 
all the more outstanding because of the large geographical area WCCO 
serves. As one of the 12 original ``clear channel'' stations, WCCO is 
the only operator allowed on the 830AM setting. With its powerful 
transmitters, WCCO Radio can be heard not only in Minnesota, but in 
Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas and far beyond.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of WCCO Radio have been the consummate ``Good 
Neighbors'' for 80 years, and we salute them for their legendary public 
service.
  Happy 80th birthday, WCCO Radio!

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