[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H734-H736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                KEEP CLASSICAL MUSIC ALIVE IN ST. LOUIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today joining with my 
friend and colleague, Congressman Lacy Clay, to speak out on an issue 
that is very important to both of us and our constituents, the 
continued existence of an over-the-air classical music station.
  The sale of KFUO-FM by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is 
currently pending before the Media Bureau at the FCC, and both myself 
and Congressman Clay have been contacted by our constituents concerned 
that the purchaser of the station may cease the classical programming, 
which so many residents of the St. Louis and Metro East communities 
have benefited from over the years.
  KFUO-FM has been a proud partner with almost every cultural 
organization in the St. Louis area. It is also heard internationally 
through live streaming on the Internet. Classic 99, as KFUO is also 
known, features a large amount of programming for the fine arts 
institutions of St. Louis, including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, 
the Opera Theater of St. Louis, the Repertory Theater of St. Louis, the 
St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum and Historical 
Society, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Touhill Performing Arts 
Center of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Metropolitan Opera, 
the Bach Society of St. Louis, the St. Louis Chamber Chorus, the 
American Kantorei, the St. Louis Public Library, the St. Louis 
Children's Choir, along with many others.
  KFUO is in a virtual partnership with these institutions, as many 
hours are given to these and other organizations for live broadcasting, 
education, and information programming, as well as for promotion. The 
loss of Classic 99 and its limitless contribution to the area's 
community may have a negative impact on many, and to the quality of 
life in the Metro East.
  As many of my colleagues know, I am married to a classical musician. 
I met Karen while she was working as the director of Christian 
Education and Music at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Monterey, 
California. When I started my life with Karen, I also began my life 
with classical music. Karen has worked as a youth minister, church 
music director, elementary music teacher, and private music instructor 
of many different instruments. She has also guided each of our children 
musically. All three of our boys are Suzuki-trained violinists. My 
sons, David and Josh, have sung with the prestigious St. Louis 
Children's Chorus. I credit their musical talents not only with my 
wife's teaching, but also with exposure to classical music from an 
early age. KFUO provides that critical early exposure to families all 
over the St. Louis area that may not have a family member with a music 
background.
  To remove that sphere of influence I feel would be detrimental to 
many children in our communities. Without Classic 99, I don't know if 
many of the music institutions in the St. Louis area that rely on this 
station would be able to get their music heard. Even our local high 
school students have a chance to play on KFUO, an experience I'm sure 
that is a highlight of their musical education.
  Mr. Speaker, I felt this issue was especially important for me to 
weigh in on today because, as a devoted Lutheran, I am concerned that 
the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod does not realize how important these 
classical broadcasts are to the Christian faithful in the St. Louis 
area.
  In most cases, Christian broadcasting and classical broadcasting are 
synonymous. The loss of this classical programming eliminates the 
witness to the Gospel through the broadcast of the words and music of 
Bach, such as broadcast of ``Bach at the Sem.'' Also, the St. Louis 
area would no longer be able to hear other Lutheran and Christian 
composers as well through programs devoted specifically to the 
Christian musical heritage, such as ``Joy'' and broadcasts of St. Louis 
Bach Society programs and overt Lutheran Christian programming such as 
``Sing for Joy'' and the Sunday morning service from Chapel of the 
Cross in North County, St. Louis.
  Music is an important part of Christianity and was an integral part 
in the start of the Lutheran church. One of my favorite Martin Luther 
quotes deals with the importance of music in the church, and I quote, 
``Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the 
agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and 
delightful presents God has given us.''
  From Bach to Mendelssohn, these talented musicians helped form the 
Lutheran church that we know today. I cannot imagine a church service 
without music, just as I cannot imagine St. Louis without KFUO-FM. It 
is just as important part to the St. Louis and Metro East residents as 
music is to Sunday mornings spent in worship. It is my sincere hope 
that the Lutheran church will realize this before this station changes 
its programming. It would be a loss to both the Christian community and 
the music community, a loss which I hope will be prevented.
  Let us remember the words from Psalm 27:5-6 ``For in the day of 
trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the 
shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head 
will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle 
will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the 
Lord.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am not here to say that the FCC should be dictating 
programming choice when considering a sale of a station. Rather, I 
would argue that the impact on cultural organizations and the impact on 
local jobs should be considered when deciding on these sales. I would 
like to enter for the record a petition to the LCMS Board of Directors, 
which both myself and former Senator Conrad Burns has signed, in 
addition to letters from musicians from all over the country that have 
enjoyed Classic 99's live internet broadcasts.
     Gerald Kieschnick,
     President, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, St. Louis, MO.
       Dear President Kieschnick: The Musicians' Association of 
     St. Louis, Local 2-197 AFM, is opposed to the sale of KFUO-
     FM, the only classical music radio station in the St. Louis 
     metropolitan area, into a different format. This valuable 
     resource is one of the main venues for arts organizations and 
     has been a great tool in audience-building through live 
     broadcasts and advertising.
       The loss of our beloved radio station will have a huge 
     impact on the arts in St. Louis:
       Bach at the Sem, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and At The 
     Garden, Live!, will lose their broadcasts, which are heard 
     nationally through live streaming.
       SLSO will lose a major advertising venue, which may hinder 
     ticket sales and fundraising efforts. They are now moving 
     forward after years of paycuts and freezes. Losing KFUO makes 
     recovery more difficult.
       Many arts organizations in the greater metropolitan area of 
     St. Louis will lose a central advertising location in KFUO-
     FM. The loss of KFUO makes advertising much more difficult 
     especially in these economic times.
       President Kieschnick, Local 2-197 respectfully asks that 
     you reconsider and direct your Board to stop the sale now.
           Respectfully,

                                      Vicky Smolik, President,

                              Musicians' Association of St. Louis,
     Local 2-197, AFM.
                                  ____


 Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 of the American Federation 
                              of Musicians

                                  Cleveland, OH, January 29, 2010.
     U.S. Congressman John Shimkus,
     Springfield, IL.
       Dear Congressman Shimkus, I am writing in support of the 
     effort to prevent the sale of KFUO 99.1 FM.
       One of the oldest radio stations west of the Mississippi 
     River, and the longest continually-owned FM station in the 
     Saint Louis area, KFUO not only programs classical, opera and 
     jazz music, it is also a strong partner with the area's 
     cultural institutions. The sale of KFUO, from the Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) to Gateway Creative 
     Broadcasting, Inc., would negatively impact those musical 
     genres in the Saint Louis local and regional community.
       In addition, KFUO programming targets school-aged children, 
     and this sale would eliminate regular programming that allows 
     high school orchestral musicians and choral singers the 
     opportunity to perform for a radio audience, certainly a 
     unique chance for these young musicians.
       I understand a petition has been filed with the Federal 
     Communications Commission alleging LC-MS did not properly 
     open up a competitive bidding process to the public. An FCC 
     investigation of this proposed transaction may deny the sale, 
     or subject the LC-MS to further conditions including an open 
     selection process.
       In the wake of these allegations, and the potential loss of 
     the crown jewel of cultural radio programming in the Saint 
     Louis region, I sincerely urge you to join me in the fight to 
     save KFUO 99.1 FM.
           Very Truly Yours,
                                                 Leonard DiCosimo.

[[Page H735]]

     
                                  ____
               Approved KFUO Letters for Release to Press


    Note: The Musicians Council has letters representing orchestral 
 musicians from California, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, 
                Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Nevada.

     To: The Trustees and Management of KFUO FM
     From: Paul R. Frankenfeld, President, Local 1, AF of M
     Subject: The Preservation of Classical Music on KFUO
       Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: In an age when arts 
     organizations are struggling for survival, the continuation 
     of classical music on a radio station is vital to maintain 
     the ongoing community interest in symphony orchestras, 
     chamber music, and opera. The long and proud tradition of 
     service of this station to the broadcast of St. Louis 
     Symphony concerts is to be applauded. I strongly urge you to 
     continue this relationship by retaining the classical music 
     format of KFUO FM so that current and future generations will 
     have this resource to experience great art music.
           Sincerely yours,
     Paul R. Frankenfeld,
       President, Local 1, American Federation of Musicians, 
     Acting Principal Viola, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
                                  ____

                                                December 31, 1969.
       To Whom It Concerns: Sometimes you don't realize how 
     important something is until it isn't there any more.
       Milwaukee has been without a classical station since WFMR 
     abruptly changed 106.9 from classical to ``cool jazz'' (I 
     think) over two years ago--and every day since I've heard at 
     least one person mourn its loss.
       It is not just the loss of hearing classical music on the 
     air-waves, though that is a great loss in itself--it is the 
     loss of announcers who were keenly interested in the musical 
     scene in Milwaukee, who brought Symphony and other musicians 
     in for interviews, who did feature stories about concerts 
     coming up, and who raised awareness about classical music in 
     greater Milwaukee.
       My husband and I lived in St. Louis for a few months in 
     1990-91, and greatly enjoyed (among other things) our 
     opportunity to perform with David Halen on ``From the Garden 
     Live.'' We were amazed at how much excitement about local 
     music was generated by that program, and have spoken 
     enviously of it since, wishing that such an opportunity were 
     available to us here.
       I am awed by KFUO's long-standing commitment to sharing the 
     fine arts and music which supports and enriches the 
     significant cultural community of the St. Louis area. I 
     earnestly hope that this honorable tradition will continue--
     that the citizens of St. Louis will not be bereft of a 
     classical station, as we are, and that your great city will 
     continue to have the fine classical station that it deserves.
           Respectfully,
     Stefanie Jacob,
       Pianist, Prometheus Trio Piano faculty, Wisconsin 
     Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee, WI.
                                  ____

                                                 January 11, 2010.
       To whom it may concern: I have been a member of the 
     Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 29 years. Our local 
     classical music station, WQED-FM, went on the air for the 
     first time in 1973. It has been informing and enriching the 
     city of Pittsburgh and a large extended community on radio, 
     and the entire world streaming on the internet. In addition 
     to their extensive programming, our PSO concerts are 
     regularly broadcast on WQED as are over 100 local concerts by 
     other artists each year. It would be a great loss both to 
     Pittsburgh and the greater Pittsburgh area if we were to lose 
     our station. (By the way, WQED-TV was this country's first 
     community supported TV station).
       I would like to see KFUO-FM maintained as a classical music 
     radio station for St. Louis, and through live streaming, the 
     entire United States. I applaud KFUO's long-standing 
     commitment to sharing the fine arts and music which supports 
     and enriches the significant cultural community of the St. 
     Louis area. KFUO-FM has not only been responsible for 
     promoting arts events in Missouri and Illinois, but is also 
     steward of the countless contributors and listeners who have 
     made KFUO-FM possible for the past 62 years. Please continue 
     that trust by preserving KFUO-FM as a classical station.
       You have a wonderful symphony orchestra and not only would 
     they be affected by this, St. Louis would be diminished in 
     the eyes of the educated public, and children will certainly 
     miss out on the joy of discovering classical music on the 
     radio.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Cynthia Busch,
     Violist, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
                                  ____



                               Austin Federation of Musicians,

                                                       Austin, TX.
       To whom it concerns: KFUO-FM has been partnering with the 
     cultural community in St. Louis for over 60 years. KFUO's 
     participation in the fine arts enriches the greater 
     metropolitan area, including Eastern Missouri and parts of 
     Illinois. Through live streaming, KFUO-FM is also heard 
     throughout the United States and the world, proclaiming St. 
     Louis as a major cultural community. Losing KFUO-FM adversely 
     impacts all cultural institutions in the St. Louis area.
       Please stop this sale. Thank you for your assistance.
           In solidarity,
                                                       Terry Hale,
     President AFM33, Austin, TX.
                                  ____

       Note: this petition is comprised of 41 prominent Lutheran 
     Church-Missourians, including a United States Senator, who 
     are opposed to the sale of KFUO-FM because of the adverse 
     impact on the cultural community in the Greater St. Louis 
     Metropolitan Area, especially the many world-class fine arts 
     institutions.

           KFUO/LCMS Petition to the LCMS Board of Directors

                                                      May 8, 2009.

                (List of names augmented June 29, 2009)

       Dear Members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Board of 
     Directors, Not unmindful of your responsibilities, and aware 
     of the challenges presented Synod by current economic 
     conditions, we ask you, nevertheless, to reconsider your 
     decision on behalf of our Synod that authorized the sale of 
     KFUO-FM. A sale, in our view and that of many others, would 
     be very unfortunate. We are convinced that:
       A vital mission of proclamation, nurture, outreach, and 
     community relations is being conducted by KFUO-FM and these 
     missions can be expanded and enhanced in the future;
       A sale would damage the good name and reputation of The 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in its headquarters city and 
     around the world;
       A sale would disenfranchise and severely disappoint many 
     thousands of individuals and organizations that have provided 
     virtually all the financial and volunteer support for the 
     station throughout its history;
       KFUO-FM is the source sustaining KFUO-AM. Its sale would 
     surely be followed by AM's demise.
       There are attractive alternatives for retaining KFUO-FM, 
     thereby also ensuring the future of KFUO-AM. These should be 
     explored with time and opportunity being given for their 
     advancement.
           Respectfully yours in Christ,
       Dr. Andrew H. Bartelt (Executive Vice President for 
     Academic Affairs, Concordia Seminary).
       Dr. Karl L. Barth (President Emeritus, Concordia Seminary, 
     St. Louis).
       Dr. Robert Bergt (Director, The American Cantorei and 
     ``Bach at the Sem'' concert series).
       The Rev. Keith Boheim (The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable 
     Foundation).
       Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann (President Emeritus, The Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       The Rev. Larry Burgdorf (The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable 
     Foundation).
       Senator Conrad Burns (United States Senator, Retired).
       Dr. Paul W. Devantier (Senior Vice President, Advancement, 
     Concordia Seminary, St. Louis).
       Richard W. Duesenberg (Attorney at Law; co-founder, ``Bach 
     at the Sem'' concert series).
       Robert H. Duesenberg (Attorney at Law; co-founder, ``Bach 
     at the Sem'' concert series).
       Dr. Charles W. Dull (Former Director, Hong Kong 
     International School).
       The Rev. Alan Erdman (President, Lutheran Family and 
     Children's Services of Missouri).
       Dr. Jean Garton (Former member Board of Directors, Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       Oscar H. Hanson (Former member Board of Directors, Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       Dr. John F. Johnson (Former President, Concordia Seminary, 
     St. Louis).
       Dr. James W. Kalthoff (President Emeritus, The Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       Dr. Robert H. King (Former Vice President, The Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       The Rev. Jerry Klug (President, Clara and Spencer Werner 
     Foundation).
       Ruth M. Koch (Chair, Concordia Publishing House Board of 
     Directors).
       Thomas Kopatz (Managing Partner, Thrivent Financial for 
     Lutherans).
       Dr. Jonathan Laabs (Executive Director, Lutheran Education 
     Association).
       Michael Louis (Senior Vice President, Financial Planning 
     and Administration, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis).
       Laurence Lumpe (Executive Director, Lutheran Hour 
     Ministries).
       Dr. Paul L. Maier (Second Vice President, The Lutheran 
     Church-Missouri Synod).
       Dr. Walter A. Maier, II (Former Second Vice President, The 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
       The Rev. Ulmer Marshall (Former member Board of Directors, 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
       Dr. Dale A. Meyer (President, Concordia Seminary, St. 
     Louis).
       Dr. Judith W. Meyer (President, Lutheran High School 
     Association of St. Louis).
       Michael Onnen (President, International Lutheran Laymen's 
     League).
       Gerald Perschbacher (Editor, ``The Lutheran Layman,'' 
     International Lutheran Laymen's League).
       Dr. Richard D. Peters (Former member Board of Directors, 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
       James F. Ralls (Chair, Board of Regents, Concordia 
     Seminary, St. Louis).

[[Page H736]]

       Dr. Walter Rosin (Secretary Emeritus, The Lutheran Church-
     Missouri Synod).
       Representative John Shimkus (United States Congressman, 
     Illinois).
       Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto (Former Religion Editor, United Press 
     International).
       The Rev. Jonathan P. Stein (Regular Pastor on FKUO-FM for 
     more than 20 years).
       Dr. Richard L. Thompson (Former Chair, Board of Directors, 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
       Edwin A. Trapp, Jr. (Former member Board of Directors, 
     Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
       Dr. James Voelz (Dean of the Faculty, Concordia Seminary, 
     St. Louis).
       Phyllis Wallace (``Woman to Woman,'' Lutheran Hour 
     Ministries).
       John D. Wittenmyer (Vice-Chair, Board of Regents, Concordia 
     Seminary, St. Louis).

     

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