[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF PAUL SIDNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and work of Paul Sidney, legendary radio personality and fixture of 
community life in Eastern Long Island for 45 years.
  With his rapid patter and unpolished voice, Paul provided ``local 
news of local interest'' to generations of Long Islanders from the 
studios of WLNG radio in Sag Harbor. Joining the station in 1963 as 
programming director, he later became WLNG's vice-president, general 
manager and, eventually, president.
  Paul was recognized as a pioneer in community radio when he was 
inducted into the New York State Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in 2007. 
One of his innovations at WLNG was his early embrace of on-location 
remote broadcasting. Local events from retail store openings to Easter 
Egg hunts could expect a visit from Paul in the station's mobile 
broadcasting bus, and anybody in attendance was eligible for an 
impromptu on-air interview.
  Perhaps what endeared Paul most to his listeners was his dedication 
to keeping WLNG on the air during even the most severe hurricanes and 
blizzards, earning him the nickname ``the master of disaster.'' With 
his commitment to keeping the community informed in trying times, Paul 
was part entertainer and part public servant.
  Between shifts on-air, Paul would hold court from his favorite bench 
between the Sag Harbor Pharmacy and the Variety Store on Main Street, 
dispensing wisdom, talking baseball and maybe collecting a few 
anecdotes for a later broadcast. A lifelong bachelor, his listeners 
were both his friends and his family.
  Madam Speaker, if being successful in life is loving your work, Paul 
Sidney was one of the most successful people I have ever known. That 
irrepressible voice has fallen silent, but Paul and his achievements 
over the years at WLNG will always be remembered.

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