[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF LINDA YOHN FOR HER DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITH WEMU 
                                 RADIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 19, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Linda Yohn 
for her outstanding career with WEMU Radio. She has worked tirelessly 
on behalf of Michigan's music community for the past 30 years.
  After receiving her bachelor's degree from Otterbein College in Ohio, 
Ms. Yohn started working at WKSU, a TV station in Kent, Ohio, where she 
discovered that radio was her true passion. Ms. Yohn has been a lover 
of jazz music her entire life and then took a job as a jazz music 
publicist in New York City where she stayed until joining the WEMU 
Radio team in April of 1987 as Music Director. She hosted Cafe Du Jazz 
on weekday evenings throughout her first few years at WEMU before 
taking the morning jazz slot which she has held for the past 25 years. 
Through Ms. Yohn's work, the station saw a sizable growth in the 
station's audience and its relationships with jazz artists and record 
companies. Ms. Yohn has fostered deep relationships with members of the 
jazz community, both locally and nationwide.
  Ms. Yohn's work at WEMU has been critical to the growth and success 
of the station as well as cultivating the community of dedicated 
listeners that WEMU is known for. Southeastern Michigan's vibrant jazz 
scene is attributed to Ms. Yohn's work at WEMU and the relationships 
that she continues to cultivate. Her work has been recognized many 
times over the years and she serves as a board member for the Southeast 
Michigan Jazz Association and attends panels at various conferences and 
conventions throughout the country. Ms. Yohn has been named National 
Jazz Programmer of the Year five times, has received the Duke Dubois 
national award for service and has been named Ypsilanti's Ambassador 
for Jazz. Over the past 30 years, she has served as a mentor to the 
entire WEMU team; though her title was Music Director, she was also the 
heart and soul of the station. Ms. Yohn leaves behind a generation of 
passionate jazz listeners and on-air hosts. Her advocacy, passion, and 
hard work have made her a beloved leader in our Michigan community, and 
I look forward to her continued positive impact on our Michigan 
community in the coming years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Linda Yohn 
for a distinguished 30 year career with WEMU Radio. She has made a 
lasting impact on southeastern Michigan's jazz community.

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