[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF WILLIAM DILDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 8, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of William Dilday.
  William Dilday was born on September 14, 1937 in Boston, 
Massachusetts. He graduated from the Boston Latin School and received 
his B.S. degree in Business Administration from Boston University in 
Boston, Massachusetts.
  In 1964, Dilday started his career as an operations supervisor at 
IBM. In 1968, Dilday became the personnel administrator and public 
relations director at Edgerton, Germehausen, & Grier, Inc. He then 
began working at WHDH-TV in Boston as director of personnel in 1969. 
Dilday then entered the field of journalism in 1972 as general manager 
of WLBT-TV/WLBM-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, as the first African 
American general manager of a network affiliate station. He worked at 
WLBT-TV/WLBM-TV until 1984. As chief operation officer, he led the 
station to achieve number one in Nielson and Arbitron ratings from 
November 1973 to February 1984.
  In 1990, Dilday joined WJTV-TV as general manager and executive vice 
president, where he implemented operation and programming plans that 
improved station ratings. After his departure from WJTV, Dilday joined 
NewsPress and Gazette as corporate vice president. Dilday was then 
hired as president and chief executive officer of Kerimax 
Communications, Inc. Dilday has also spent time as a guest columnist 
for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi.
  Dilday has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the 
Peabody Award, the National Mental Health Association Media Award, and 
two Iris Awards from the National Association of Television Program 
Executives.
  In addition to his career in journalism, Dilday has been active in 
many organizations and companies. He has served as a board member for 
First American Bank. Dilday has also been a board member of the 
National Association of Television Broadcasters and the National 
Broadcasting Company Affiliate Board. He has served as a member of the 
Congressional Black Caucus Communication Task Force, as well as a 
founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists and 
100 Black Men. From 1978 until 1979, Dilday served as president of the 
Jackson Urban League.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, 
legacy, and service of William Dilday.

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