[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1949-E1950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO FRANK BECKMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2007

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Frank Beckmann upon the 
35th anniversary of his distinguished broadcasting career at WJR, the 
``Great Voice of the Great Lakes.''
  Since his broadcasting career commenced on September 11, 1972 as a 
WJR news reporter at the age of 22, Frank Beckmann steadily rose 
through the ranks and served as the station's sports director and only 
play-by-play announcer to cover all four Detroit sports teams at least 
once. Today, he stands as a beloved--in most quarters--Detroit radio 
personality.
  Frank's status was cemented in February of 2003, when the Frank 
Beckmann Show debuted. Over the ensuing years, Frank's commitment to 
providing fair and candid news coverage has earned him a legion of fans 
and countless awards, which he is trying to count regardless. 
Faithfully carrying on the WJR tradition, the Frank Beckmann Show 
features on-air interviews, in-depth issue analyses, reliable business 
reports, and continuous sports coverage. Frank's enduring style and 
popularity with listeners has earned the attention of the Michigan 
Association of Broadcasters who awarded the Frank Beckmann Show two 
``Best in Class Awards,'' Broadcast Personality/Team of the Year 2006 
and Best News Special: 9/11 Anniversary Broadcast From New York City. 
The Detroit Press Club Foundation also named him the 2007 Michigan 
Excellence in Journalism winner and he was inducted into the Michigan 
Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. With a radio personality fans have come to 
know and love, Frank Beckmann's extraordinary accomplishments are well 
deserved.
  Madam Speaker, over the years, Frank has elated audiences with his 
laid-back humor, probing interviews, and male pattern baldness. After 
35 years of award-winning broadcasts on WJR, Frank truly is the best in 
his class. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Frank 
Beckmann's loyalty to his listeners, dedication to truth, and legendary 
contributions to talk radio, our community and our country.

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