[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING KPAN RADIO'S 75 YEARS OF BROADCASTING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNY JACKSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. JACKSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I am honored to help KPAN 
Radio celebrate 75 years of broadcasting in the Texas Panhandle. As 1 
of the most historic radio stations in Texas, KPAN has touched the 
lives of countless listeners and is a beacon of reliable local, state, 
and national news for the Texas Panhandle.
  KPAN has been a proud family owned and operated station since day 1. 
Marshall Formby was KPAN's original owner, and his wife, Sharleen, 
ensured the radio station represented the entire Texas Panhandle. Their 
nephew, Clint Formby, was KPAN's first voice on the airwaves when KPAN 
was first broadcasted on August 4, 1948 at 6:15 a.m. Clint eventually 
became part owner of the station and raised his son, Chip Formby, to be 
part of the radio business as well. Chip became a manager at KPAN in 
1993 and managed the station until his death in July of 2020. Both of 
Chip's sons took after their father and worked for KPAN during their 
high school and college years. Chip's son, Lane, returned in January of 
2021 to become manager of the station. 75 years since that first 
broadcast, the Formby family is still broadcasting KPAN in Hereford, 
Texas in the heart of my district.
  Hereford residents tune into KPAN for the news, latest weather 
reports, commodity reports, funeral listings, school and senior lunch 
menus, Dallas Cowboys football games, Texas Tech Red Raider sporting 
events, and so much more.
  KPAN continues to demonstrate the value and spirit of the Texas 
Panhandle as is evident by KPAN's numerous accolades and ``firsts.'' 
KPAN was the first Texas radio station to conceive ``Distributive 
Education Day'' which offers special training and financial resources 
for high school students who are dedicated to pursuing their dreams in 
broadcasting. The station was also one of the first West Texas stations 
to incorporate daily Spanish programming and music and one of the first 
area stations to build a companion FM station.
  KPAN has been featured on the cover of Texas Highways, in the Dallas 
Morning news, AP releases, and several other area and national 
publications. In addition, KPAN has twice been named Texas' Outstanding 
Radio Station by The Texas Association of Broadcasters and named the 
State's Outstanding Radio Station in support of Education. There is no 
doubt that KPAN's dedication to broadcasting and education has inspired 
listeners and students across the State.
  KPAN is committed to serving the community and dedicated to providing 
information and entertainment to their listeners. Again, I want to 
congratulate KPAN Radio and the Formby family on 75 fruitful years of 
broadcasting and service to the Texas Panhandle, and I look forward to 
75 more.

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