[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 145 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2000-E2001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF KANSAS CITY'S KCUR RADIO 
                                STATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and to 
commemorate one of Kansas City's premier radio stations 89.3 FM, KCUR 
Radio. Based at and operating from the University of Missouri--Kansas 
City campus, KCUR is celebrating its golden anniversary on October 21, 
1957. I know that Congressman Dennis Moore of Kansas joins me in my 
well-wishes for KCUR as it has served the whole Kansas City community, 
on both sides of the state line 50 years of continuous service.
  At home, KCUR entertains, enlightens, and informs the Greater Kansas 
City metropolitan area. But more than that, quite simply, this radio 
station enhances the quality of life for Kansas Citians and all 
listeners by broadcasting over radio waves and the internet non-
commercial radio programming 24 hours a day, including 20 hours of news 
each weekday, through its charter membership as a National Public Radio 
station. Continually, 89.3 FM is recognized for groundbreaking features 
and extensive coverage of politics, the arts, health, and minority 
matters. KCUR's original broadcasts and programs have captured the 
hearts and minds of listeners and learners nationwide.
  This heartland station has grown from a station with two full-time 
employees and a signal range of four miles, to 23 full-time broadcast 
professionals and 17 part-time employees with a signal reaching a 90-
mile radius covering northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. 
Today, KCUR is broadcasting with a power of 100,000 watts to over 
150,000 listeners all due largely through the efforts of its 200 
tireless volunteers.
  KCUR began broadcasting October 21, 1957 from the third floor of 
Scofield Hall with a signal range of 4 miles, 2 full-time employees and 
a budget of $15,000 from the University. It was the first university 
licensed educational FM station in Missouri and the second FM in Kansas 
City.
  In the Spring of 1956, C.J. Stevens, then Director of Radio and TV at 
the University of Kansas City, submitted a budget request to establish 
and operate an educational FM broadcast station, and he was turned 
down.

[[Page E2001]]

However, Stevens and Sam Scott decided to raise money outside the 
university. A modest fundraising campaign was undertaken and a separate 
FM fund was established. KCUR-FM was in its conception and continues to 
be a community station.
  In 1970, KCUR was awarded a grant of $7,500 from the Corporation for 
Public Broadcasting for Community Service. National Public Radio 
broadcasts began the next year with KCUR as a charter member.
  After Sam Scott retired in 1986, the station was without a General 
Manager for a year while Jim Costin, UMKC Associate Vice Chancellor 
oversaw the station. Patricia Cahill, a former KCUR reporter in the 
early 1970s, was hired in 1987 as General Manager, and she holds the 
position today.
  In the 1960s, the Kansas City Times stated, ``In the community, 
(KCUR) it is a source of education, culture and pleasure.'' And those 
words still ring true today. I certainly know this firsthand. It is my 
radio station of choice, and this fact was never so clear, as well as 
my bias towards it, as when I had my daily radio show, Under the Clock, 
broadcast on its airwaves. Innovative programs, local heavy weights, 
and our community are their programming.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today with the gentleman from Kansas, 
Congressman Dennis Moore, and we are proud to share with you and the 
membership of this House our heartfelt congratulations and appreciation 
for KCUR's many outstanding benefits to our community, as we approach 
the 50th anniversary of this treasure in our community.

                          ____________________