[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING HIGH SCHOOL RADIO DAY

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and sincerity that 
I rise in recognition of High School Radio Day 2013. This year marks 
the second annual High School Radio Day, a day to observe the 
uniqueness of each high school radio station and the impact each has on 
the community, the State, and the Nation at large. Indiana is the 
birthplace of high school radio. The first station in the United 
States, WNAS, signed on in May, 1949 in New Albany, Indiana. In the 
following decades, the students working for high school radio stations 
in northwest Indiana have exhibited outstanding ingenuity, intellect, 
and leadership as the stations have grown and thrived.
  In 1954, high school radio arrived in northwest Indiana with the 
formation of WGVE-FM 88.7 radio in Gary. First housed in Lew Wallace 
High School, the station relocated to its current home of the Gary Area 
Career Center in 1969. WGVE-FM 88.7 began operating at less than 50 
watts, but the station has evolved to become the home of a wide array 
of community news, educational programming, public service 
announcements, and music. The station keeps local residents connected 
to their government by broadcasting meetings of the Gary School Board 
and Gary Common Council.
  For over 35 years, WDSO-FM 88.3, Chesterton High School's commercial-
free, educational station has broadcast valuable programming to 
listeners throughout northwest Indiana. It took nearly two years of 
planning and careful work with the Federal Communications Commission to 
take the station on-air, with broadcasts beginning in 1976. Since that 
time, the station broadcasts local, State, and national news coverage, 
as well as sports coverage and live broadcasts from town meetings, the 
Duneland School Board, and the Community Bulletin Board. WDSO-FM 88.3 
was also one of the first radio stations to use fiber optic cable to 
transport a radio signal over a mile and a half from the studio to the 
transmitter.
  It is with great credit not only to the dedicated and passionate 
students who operate these stations but the administrators that ensure 
their continued success that high school radio stations still leave 
their indelible mark on the people of northwest Indiana. Specifically, 
Eric Johnson, Clarence Stevens, Sarita Stevens, Lakisha Walls, and 
Lionel Chambers, at WGVE-FM 88.7, as well as Michele Stipanovich and 
Matthew Waters at WDSO-FM 88.3, have done outstanding work to grow 
their respective stations. These individuals deserve recognition for 
their committed, energetic approach to the development of bright young 
students eager to learn the ways of broadcast journalism.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my distinguished 
colleagues join me in recognizing these two exemplary student 
organizations, as well as each of the 43 high school radio stations 
from 19 States participating in High School Radio Day 2013. Their 
efforts have molded and continue to mold generations of rising 
journalists, performing a vital public service for all Americans.

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