[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING KBBF RADIO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my 
colleague, Congressman Jared Huffman, to recognize and honor radio 
station KBBF 89.1 FM as it celebrates 40 years of operation.
  KBBF was the first bilingual public radio station in the United 
States, launching its inaugural broadcast on May 31, 1973. Its success 
has led to the creation 35 other radio stations throughout the country 
that now serve their local Hispanic and Latino communities.
  For 40 years, KBBF and its program hosts have delivered an ever-
evolving level of service to Spanish and English speakers alike by 
providing a diverse mix of information, commentary and culture. Airtime 
is devoted to public affairs, news commentary, literature, financial 
and health news, youth and women's issues and news, indigenous 
programming and music from all over the world.
  The radio station was founded by an eclectic group of individuals 
including a farm worker, a lawyer, a housewife, a college professor and 
a college student who wanted to provide cultural, educational and 
informational radio programming to a community that had historically 
been underrepresented in traditional radio formats.
  The vision of a bilingual public radio station captured the 
imagination of both the local community and the Nation. The late United 
States Senator Ted Kennedy personally directed a helicopter to fly 
KBBF's antenna to the top of Mt. St. Helena, the finishing touch before 
broadcasts could begin.
  Mr. Speaker, KBBF 89.1 FM Public Radio is a true pioneer in every 
sense of the word and it is therefore appropriate that we honor KBBF 
today on its 40th anniversary.

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