[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E33-E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING GARY EICHTEN FOR HIS 45 YEARS IN BROADCASTING ON THE OCCASION 
             OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Gary Eichten, a 
Minnesota broadcasting legend, as he prepares to retire after a 
distinguished 45-year career at Minnesota Public Radio, MPR, News.
  It is increasingly rare today that one spends his entire career with 
one employer, but it is even rarer that one can say he helped to put 
his employer on the map. Eichten can make that claim, beginning his 
career in 1967 at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at 
Collegeville's KSJR, MPR's first station. Today, MPR is one of the 
nation's premier public radio systems with a reputation for integrity 
and thoughtful civic engagement. Gary Eichten personifies this 
tradition.
  As host of the MPR News ``Midday'' program, Eichten has been a 
familiar and down-to-earth voice on its airwaves, providing a forum for 
civil discourse that truly informs and educates the public. Throughout 
his career, he has retained his trademark Midwestern sensibility. His 
colleagues sum it up best, describing him as an ``everyman in the 
newsroom.'' A recent article in the Star Tribune describes Eichten as a 
``kid from Mankato,'' Minnesota, who ``traded stories and barbs with 
state legislators, sitting governors and presidential hopefuls. An 
evasive answer might be met with Eichten's lovable grumble: `Aw, c'mon, 
Senator.' ''
  Eichten's success as a broadcaster has earned him many well-deserved 
awards, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for 
Best Local News Program. He also assisted in the development of two 
Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into 
the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame. Most recently, Eichten 
was awarded with the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack 
Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to 
excellence in the journalism profession.
  For many years, Eichten and MPR Midday have been part of my midday 
ritual. As an MPR listener, I have appreciated his timely and 
insightful interviews. As an elected official, I have respected his 
tough, but fair questions--always delivered civilly. It has been an

[[Page E34]]

honor to be a guest on his show. The excellent journalism practiced by 
Eichten and MPR is even more important today, because it has become a 
rarity in today's media landscape.
  A testament to his notable career is the ``Heckuva Farewell'' planned 
for Eichten on January 19 in St. Paul. The evening will begin with what 
Eichten does best, an interview, with a guest who happens to be a 
former Vice President--Walter Mondale. Following this interview, 
Eichten will have the microphone turned on himself as he is subject to 
an interview about his incredible career at MPR. I know Minnesotans are 
looking forward to this night.
  As he retires after 45 years on Minnesota Public Radio, Eichten's 
voice will be missed, but his legacy of broadcasting excellence will 
continue. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Gary Eichten, a 
Minnesota icon.

                          ____________________