[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. BERNARD SIDNEY DITTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile County and indeed the entire State of 
Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and 
pay tribute to his memory. Mr. Bernard Sidney Dittman, known as 
``Bernie'' to his many friends and family, was a devoted family man and 
dedicated community leader throughout his life.
  Bernie purchased WABB-AM in Mobile, Alabama, in 1959. This station, 
previously owned by the Mobile Press-Register newspaper organization, 
first went on the air in 1948 with call letters that stand for 
``Alabama's Best Broadcasters.''
  One year later, Bernie moved to Mobile and completely changed the 
broadcast format of the station. His conversion of WABB from a country 
station to Top 40 propelled WABB to the position of the leading station 
in that format and one of the premiere stations anywhere along 
Alabama's Gulf Coast.
  In 1973, Bernie took WABB in a new direction when the station added a 
new FM signal and began to broadcast a progressive rock format. At a 
time when most automobiles were not equipped with FM receivers, Bernie 
and his team ran an extensive series of on-air promotions encouraging 
the installation of low-cost FM receivers.
  Under Bernie Dittman's leadership, WABB became one of the longest-
running and most successful Top 40 radio stations in the United States.
  The station has also spearheaded over the years the move to more 
equality in the hiring of on-air personalities and staff members. In 
fact, WABB was one of the first stations in south Alabama to hire both 
women and African-Americans for important announcer positions. WABB has 
also been a critical part of Mobile's emergency broadcast community and 
played a crucial role in providing information to listeners during 
Hurricane Frederic (1979) and Hurricane Ivan (2004). During Ivan, WABB 
was one of the few stations in the area able to transmit continuously 
during the storm without losing power. Following the end of the storm, 
the station also led the effort to collect and distribute relief 
material to neighboring States which had also been severely affected.
  Aside from his professional obligations, Bernie ensured that WABB and 
its family of employees took an active role in the life of the Mobile 
community.
  For the past 47 years, the station has operated the WABB Community 
Club Awards Program of Greater Mobile, which has provided over $250,000 
in financial awards to local civic, religious, and cultural 
institutions. Additionally, the station has been a 40-year sponsor of 
the Greater Gulf State Fair, a 35-year sponsor of the Alabama Deep Sea 
Fishing Rodeo, and a long-time sponsor of both the Senior Bowl and GMAC 
Bowl college football games.
  Additionally, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Mobile, the United 
States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, the Mobile Ronald McDonald 
House and numerous other organizations advocating area youth have 
benefited tremendously from Bernie's leadership and community 
involvement. In fact, the area Toys for Tots program holds the record 
for the single largest toy collection anywhere in the United States, 
with over 100,000 toys collected--due in no small part to the efforts 
of Bernie and his entire team.

  Bernie was a longtime member of the Alabama Broadcasters' Association 
and the National Association of Broadcasters and in 2000 was the 
recipient of the Greater Mobile Advertising Federation Silver Medal 
Award.
  Mr. Speaker, there have been few individuals more important to the 
broadcast profession in Alabama or to the life of their local community 
than Bernie Dittman.
  He was an outstanding example of the quality individuals who have 
devoted their lives to the field of broadcasting, and I ask my 
colleagues to join with me in remembering a dedicated community leader 
and friend to many throughout south Alabama.
  Bernie Dittman loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his 
passing marks a tremendous loss for all of south Alabama. He will be 
deeply missed by many, most especially his wife, Judith S. Dittman; his 
3 daughters, Betsy Dittman, Stephanie Teichmer, and Marsha Scimo; his 
sister Sylvia Scott; and 3 grandchildren; as well as countless friends 
and loyal employees that he leaves behind.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________