[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE MOST TRUSTED NEWSMAN IN HOUSTON: DAVE WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Dave Ward is your father, brother, 
trusted friend. If you're from Houston, he's been with you most, if not 
all, of your life. He's the person the city turns to when they need 
straight talk, or when they want the no-spin facts, in times of 
national tragedy, or when they want to relish the success of the 
country's most diverse city. The longest running TV anchor in history 
will close his last 6 pm newscast on KTRK Channel 13 tomorrow. He will 
move on from the only TV station he's ever worked for and he's still at 
the top of his game.
   This year he marked the 50th anniversary of his first day on the job 
at KTRK Channel 13. It's the longest run at the same TV station, 
according to Guinness World Records. He arrived at Channel 13 in the 
1960s and took the station from third place to the top of the ratings 
into the 70s and beyond for the next 45 years. Dave joined KTRK-TV in 
1966 as an on-the-street reporter and photographer. The next year he 
was assigned to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 am newscast. In 1968, 
Dave was assigned to anchor the weekday 6 pm and 10 pm newscasts where 
he has remained one of Houston's most experienced news professionals.
   Born in Dallas and raised in Huntsville, Dave's broadcast career 
began in radio with KGKB in Tyler. Then to WACO radio in Waco, Texas, 
then a stop in Houston and KNUZ/KQUE. He started out as a reporter 
known for his grit and determination and for talking directly to 
Houstonians to see what they're thinking.
   During his career with 13 Eyewitness News, Dave has reported on 
everything from presidential elections to space walks, and even the 
Vietnam Peace Talks. He's covered fires, explosions, earthquakes, 
floods, and hurricanes throughout Texas and the region. He's 
interviewed heads of state and traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, 
Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia on numerous stories. He's also covered 
several national political conventions and worked extensively with NASA 
on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle missions. Dave also landed a 
special one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama. In 2007, Dave 
was awarded an Emmy and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 
Broadcast Emmys presented by the Lone Star Chapter of the National 
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
   In addition to his extraordinary broadcast career, I will always 
remember Dave for his role in the establishment of Houston Crime 
Stoppers, which has become the model of excellence for similar programs 
across the nation. As a judge on the bench during this time, I remember 
his iconic tagline, ``Crime Stoppers will pay a one thousand dollar 
cash reward this week for information leading to the arrest and grand 
jury indictment of the person responsible'' and that it led to 
thousands of tips coming into the Crime Stoppers hotline, hundreds of 
thousands of dollars in rewards, and millions in recovered property. 
Just a day after celebrating his 50th anniversary on air, the first-in-
the-nation Dave Ward Crime Stoppers Headquarters broke ground in 
Houston. The new facility will be the cornerstone of Houston's first 
Public Safety and Crime Prevention Block.
   When asked to reflect on his career, Dave told his colleagues at 
KTRK, ``I am very proud of my work here at Channel 13 over the past 50 
years. I will always cherish having witnessed firsthand the 
transformation of this great city,'' said Mr. Ward. ``I leave Channel 
13 with a lifetime's worth of memories, having reported on some of 
Houston's greatest moments of triumph and tragedy, including the Moon 
landing in 1969, the first and last space shuttle launches and many in 
between, and the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ike in 2008. I 
would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my loyal viewers, my 
friends, without whom my extensive career would not have been possible. 
My 50 year tenure at Channel 13 represents the hallmark of my career, 
and I look forward to the next chapter.''
   We look forward to Dave's next chapter too. Today in his trademark 
down-to-earth style, we will hear Dave begin the 6 pm newscast with 
``Good evening, friends,'' for the last time. We will say goodnight to 
the most trusted newsman in Houston.
   And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________