[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOHN WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2014

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
distinguished career of John Wilson. His remarkable broadcasting 
accomplishments and his outstanding work in the Tampa Bay community is 
worthy of recognition by all.
  Mr. Wilson grew up in a small coal-mining town in Virginia. When he 
was 15, Mr. Wilson started his work in broadcasting as a disc jockey 
and news reporter for his local television station. After graduating 
from the Virginia Commonwealth University, Mr. Wilson was drafted into 
the U.S. Army where he served with the Armed Forces Radio in Panama. He 
was honored with the Army Commendation Medal for Excellence in 
Broadcasting for his service.
  Mr. Wilson's tremendous career has led him across the country and 
around the world. Before settling in the Tampa Bay area in 1981, he 
anchored primetime newscasts in Richmond, Norfolk, Charlotte, and St. 
Louis. His passion for reporting took him abroad several times to 
conduct special reports about hard-hitting issues in Normandy, 
Guantanamo Bay, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Moscow. Over his 50 years in 
broadcasting, Mr. Wilson has been recognized with three Emmy Awards, 
numerous Associated Press awards, and most recently, the Lifetime 
Achievement Award from the Broadcasters Club of Florida in 2013.
  Not only has Mr. Wilson impacted the Tampa Bay area with his 
excellent journalistic reporting, he has also strengthened our 
community through his support of nonprofit organizations. Mr. Wilson 
and his wife of 48 years, Mary K., regularly volunteer by singing and 
performing for many civic and charitable organizations including The 
Boys and Girls Clubs, the National Red Cross, St. Anthony's Hospital, 
and The Junior League of St. Petersburg. Mr. Wilson is also a gifted 
and popular emcee, narrator, and speaker.
  As Mr. Wilson moves towards retirement, he must be particularly proud 
to have his son, Mark, continue his legacy as the evening news anchor 
for WTVT. Mr. Wilson's innumerable achievements are a true reflection 
of his exceptional success in the broadcasting industry. His insight, 
professionalism, and support of our community have earned him an 
unprecedented level of respect that is well deserved. On behalf of the 
Tampa Bay community that has greatly benefited from his dedicated 
service, I am honored to congratulate Mr. Wilson on his remarkable 
career.

                          ____________________