[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING DR. JIM KING OF WVXU IN CINCINNATI UPON HIS RETIREMENT

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                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jim King, who is 
Director of Broadcasting and General Manager of WVXU, Xavier 
University's public radio station in Cincinnati. He retired December 
31, 2004 after 28 years of dedicated service to our community, and will 
return to a full time Xavier faculty position.
  A native of Cheboygan, MI, Jim had an early interest in music. He 
began his interest in broadcasting while still a youngster with his own 
``pirate'' radio station, and even then, he knew he wanted a career in 
radio. Later, he gained his first full time job in radio as a high 
school sophomore. At Western Michigan University, Jim earned a B.A. in 
English Literature and an M.A. in English Literature and Ancient 
History. Happily, he also met his wife of 37 years, Kathy, there. In 
1969, Jim and Kathy moved to Ann Arbor and in 1973, Dr. King earned a 
Ph.D in Radio, TV and Film from the University of Michigan.
  In 1976, Jim joined Xavier University as its full time professional 
manager of WVXU, which was then a small 10 watt FM station. Jim also 
serves as Professor of Communication Arts at Xavier.
  Over the years, WVXU has increased its power several times, and 
today, the station is 26,000 watts. Under Jim's visionary leadership, 
the station became a member of a regional network of seven stations in 
Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. WVXU is now housed in a 12,000 square foot 
broadcasting complex on the Xavier University campus, employs 25 radio 
professionals, and has won almost every honor in broadcasting, 
including the George Foster Peabody Award, the industry's most 
prestigious award.
  Simply put, Jim has improved the quality of life for all of us in the 
community by treating us to WVXU's mix of vintage radio shows; award-
winning news programs; financial information; and a beloved variety of 
music.
  All of us congratulate Jim on his retirement and wish him luck in the 
new challenges to come.

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