[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GEORGE OSTROM

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this week I have the honor of 
recognizing George Ostrom of Flathead County, on his 90th birthday, for 
his 60-plus years of contributions to news broadcasting and journalism 
in Montana.
  A native Montanan, George spent the beginning of his formative years 
on a ranch in Sanders County and then in a mining camp near Kila. At 
age 17, George left Flathead High School to enlist in the Army and 
served his country for the next 3 years while stationed in Frankfurt, 
Germany. Following his return to the States, George spent a few years 
as a Forest Service smokejumper before an injury led him to seek 
employment at a newly founded radio station in Kalispell.
  Ever since landing the gig as an announcer for KOFI radio in 1956, 
George has been a staple in Montana broadcasting. After rising up the 
ranks to eventually become co-owner of the station, George purchased 
the Kalispell Weekly News in 1974, which he grew into the most 
circulated weekly in Montana. He was also the host of a KCFW-TV 
program. George is the author of three books and writes a weekly column 
for the Hungry Horse News. He continues on-air in the Flathead with his 
own ``George Ostrum News & Comment,'' a key component of the KGEZ 600 
AM Good Morning show.
  He has served on countless boards including the Red Cross, ALERT, the 
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and, for more than 20 years, the 
University of Montana president's advisory council. Now known as the 
dean of Montana radio broadcasters, he has been inducted into the 
Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
  Presently, George resides in Kalispell with his wife, Iris, and has 4 
children, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He still finds time 
to go on weekly excursions with the ``Over-the-Hill Gang'' in Glacier 
National Park. I congratulate and thank George for his continued 
dedication to sharing his voice with his fellow Montanans.

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