[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 163 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S8781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RECOGNIZING WYMT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the employees 
and friends of WYMT-TV as they celebrate 25 years as a news station in 
Hazard, KY. WYMT is much more than a media outlet; rather, it is a 
success story. In 1985, when talk of starting WYMT first sparked, many 
people were opposed to the idea, as it was thought that the station 
would not be prosperous or competitive. However, thanks to a few who 
saw what this news station could bring to eastern Kentucky, WYMT was 
born.
  My good friend Neil Middleton is currently the news director at WYMT 
and has been there for most of its existence. From a time where two-way 
radios were used in lieu of cell phones, and 75 pound cameras were used 
for filming, to the age of the Internet and acquiring footage on cell 
phones, Neil has seen many drastic changes.
  The dawn of the Internet allowed WYMT to connect more personally with 
its viewers, as well as unify eastern Kentucky, which has been the 
station's mission from the first day on the air. The birth and 
existence of WYMT have given the people of Prestonsburg, Harlan, 
Pineville and other cities in the eastern Kentucky region knowledge of 
how their neighbors in surrounding towns are doing. WYMT has also 
strived to balance the positive and negative news stories that it 
covers in the region, which has added to their success over the years.
  I would like to personally thank WYMT for the hard work they have put 
in over the years in covering current events in our Commonwealth in an 
honest and unbiased manner. The effort they have put forth to unify the 
entire region of eastern Kentucky is appreciated by many. I ask my 
colleagues to rise and join me in congratulating them on this 25-year 
anniversary.

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