[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF RICHARD ``HEATWAVE'' BERLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments and contributions of Richard Berler of Laredo, TX.
  Better known as ``Heatwave'', Mr. Berler is the chief meteorologist 
at KGNS-TV in Laredo, TX. This past Monday, February 14th, Berler, 51, 
celebrated 25 years of reporting and predicting the weather at the 
station.
  Having started at a time when weather forecasts were not considered a 
serious part of the News, Berler has taken his job to a higher level 
and positively affected the local community.
  Originally from Westport, Connecticut, Berler was first attracted to 
Laredo for its unique climate. Having always studied climate patterns 
for a hobby, Berler found it fascinating when he learnt about Laredo 
hitting 100 degrees as early as the month of February. Laredo is unique 
for its semiarid and subtropical climate, and it occasionally gets hot 
dry air from the Mexican Plateau.
  After attending college at Florida State University and then working 
for a small station in Minnesota, Berler found an opening at KGNS in 
Laredo and jumped at the opportunity. Almost immediately after working, 
Berler became a meteorologist, taking his own atmospheric readings 
before every newscast to improve the accuracy of his predictions. He 
quickly acquired the name ``Heatwave'' for his enthusiasm and 
commitment to the weather news. In his 25 years, he has witnessed and 
reported record highs of 103  deg.F in February, 105  deg.F in March, 
and 110  deg.F in April.
  Mr. Speaker, Heatwave has become an icon as far as the weather is 
concerned and people look up to him in the community. I thank him for 
his contributions, and congratulate him on his 25th anniversary at 
KGNS.

                          ____________________