[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 148 (Monday, September 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5490-S5491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PATSY SMULLIN

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I want to recognize and honor a 
quintessential Oregonian and legendary figure in our State's media 
circles, Patsy Smullin.

[[Page S5491]]

  On September 12, Patsy earned well-deserved honors from the National 
Association of Broadcasters for her long-time leadership as president 
and owner of California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., COBi.
  As association president and our former Senate colleague Gordon Smith 
put it in presenting Patsy with its Chuck Sherman Television Leadership 
Award for local TV in medium and smaller markets, ``Patsy's passion for 
excellence in small market local television is unmatched. She 
exemplifies the best of broadcasting by running the longest 
continuously-owned and operated, independent broadcast organization in 
the West.''
  Like former Senator Smith and countless elected officials throughout 
our State, I have come to know Patsy from regular visits to southern 
Oregon for townhalls, community meetings, and more.
  When I visit TV station KOBI in Medford, I can always count on a 
wide-ranging and thought-provoking set of questions from her station's 
journalists, and of course, that steadfast commitment to serious and 
fair journalism starts at the top with Patsy.
  As the son of a journalist, I very much appreciate her unshakable 
dedication to independent journalism that continues in the very best 
tradition of both her profession and in the legacy established back in 
1933 by California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc.
  As a Senator, I appreciate in equal measure her rock-solid devotion 
to local journalism that serves viewers so well in all of southern 
Oregon.
  In Patsy's remarks accepting her award, she noted that ``Television 
in medium and smaller markets is a business where the hours are often 
long, the pressure to get it right is heavy, and the monetary 
compensation is not equal to the responsibilities.''
  Then with classic Patsy modesty, she added, ``I have been very 
fortunate throughout my career to be surrounded by individuals who 
might not make a lot of money, but who make a positive difference in 
their community each and every day and love their work.''
  I will conclude my remarks by saying all of southern Oregon is 
incredibly fortunate that Patsy has set the bar high both for working 
long hours and love of her profession to make a positive difference in 
her community each and every day.

                          ____________________