[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING WDEV RADIO

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, lost in the continuously emerging world of 
social media is the iconic bedrock of community news: radio. I would 
like to take a moment to celebrate a milestone in Vermont radio: 90 
years on the air for WDEV. At 5:50 in the morning of Thursday July 16, 
1931, the broadcasters at WDEV turned on their microphones for the very 
first time. Ninety years later, WDEV remains a Vermont institution, 
bringing colorful conversation, sports commentary, and great music to 
thousands of listeners every day. Growing up in Central Vermont, I have 
always enjoyed tuning in to WDEV. Throughout my time in the Senate, I 
have spoken to anchors and morning show hosts at WDEV more times than I 
can recall.
  WDEV has been independently owned and operated by Radio Vermont since 
1935. Radio Vermont was founded by Lloyd Squier, who ran the company 
for 44 years, until his death in 1979. From then until 2017, Lloyd's 
son, Ken, has been at the helm. Beginning in 1966, Ken has hosted the 
Saturday morning classic and a personal favorite: ``Music To Go To The 
Dump By.'' Ken still cohosts the program--what he calls the 
``children's program for adults.'' ``Music To Go To The Dump By'' 
provides a fun, thoughtful and lighthearted weekly digest of the 
goings-on throughout the State, with commentary from its panel of hosts 
and their wide array of guests.
  Whether it is ``Music To Go To The Dump By,'' the ``Vermont 
Viewpoint,'' or a race at Thunder Road, we Vermonters can always turn 
to WDEV for fresh and interesting programming that keeps us all 
smiling, engaged, and informed. While it is certainly challenging to 
catch a broadcast from here in the Nation's Capital, I am eager to 
listen in once I am back home in a few weeks' time. Congratulations to 
WDEV and the team at Radio Vermont on 90 years of community radio. Keep 
up the great work, and I look forward to calling in soon.

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