[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING WQPT-TV IN THE QUAD CITIES ON THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate WQPT-TV, the 
Quad-Cities PBS station, on the occasion of their 30th Anniversary.
   WQPT launched on Nov. 3, 1983 with only four hours of programming 
each weekday. With support from local leaders, including former 
Representative Lane Evans, area colleges and universities, and many 
dedicated volunteers, WQPT has grown into a station that provides 
excellent programs on its main and secondary channels 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week. WQPT has formed a great partnership with Western Illinois 
University Quad-Cities, allowing staff to collaborate with students and 
faculty, speak regularly to classes and engage with the community. 
Additionally, as part of its educational mission, WQPT's ``Ready to 
Learn Initiative'' has donated 123,000 books to area students since 
1995.
   Before WQPT launched 30 years ago, the Quad-Cities area was the 
largest metro area in the country without a PBS station. WQPT still has 
one of the smallest staffs and budgets out of all stations in the 
Corporation for Public Broadcasting network, yet manages to provide 
locally relevant, award-winning programs for everyone in the region. 
These awards include an Emmy nomination, two CINE Golden Eagle Awards, 
the PBS Sterling Award and a Grassroots Advocacy Award from the 
National Friends of Public Broadcasting.
   Mr. Speaker, I again want to congratulate WQPT-TV for reaching this 
milestone, and I thank them for their 30 years of service to our 
community.

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