[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO WDIA RADIO STATION

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                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor WDIA radio station in 
Memphis. The station is celebrating nearly sixty years of broadcasting 
with a new compact disc anthology featuring the rhythm and blues, soul 
and hip-hop classics that have made Memphis famous.
  From its beginnings in 1948, as the first radio station in the United 
States featuring programming by African-Americans for an African-
American audience, WDIA has introduced America to such world wide 
legends as B.B. King who recorded his first single at WDIA, Rufus 
Thomas and Isaac Hayes.
  In its first years on the air, WDIA experienced great success and was 
the most popular station in the city. In 1954, WDIA expanded its signal 
to broadcast from South-West Missouri through the Mississippi River 
Delta to the Gulf Coast. This expansion brought its blues, gospel, and 
soul to ten percent of the United States' African-American population.
  With its enormous success, WDIA has remained focused on improving the 
Memphis community and has earned the title of ``the Goodwill Station.'' 
Throughout its distinguished history, WDIA has aided the community by 
announcing job openings, connecting individuals with agencies to help 
them resolve problems, establishing over 100 Little League teams for 
black children, and sponsoring charitable events to raise funds for 
community initiatives.
  Almost sixty years since its launch, WDIA continues as a driving 
force in radio. From Bobby O'Jay and the Fun Morning Team, to the Bev 
Johnson Show to the Davis Brothers in the afternoon, to Ford Nelson and 
Mark Stansbury's Gospel Sunday, WDIA is not only the ``Mother Station'' 
for African-Americans, it is stands as a symbol of entertainment, 
entrepreneurship and philanthropy for our region and the entire nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is in recognition of and appreciation for WDIA's 
nearly six-decade-long history and its continued presence in the 
Memphis community that I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to WDIA AM 1070, the Goodwill Station.

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