[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 198 (Friday, December 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1157-E1158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF WDSU CHANNEL 6

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE SCALISE

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 1, 2023

  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize a local 
television station, WDSU Channel 6, on their 75th Anniversary. On 
December 18, 1948, WDSU became the first television station to ``sign 
on'' in the State of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region and for the 
next nine years would remain our only local station.
  Starting with the invocation of archdiocesan chancellor Monsignor 
Charles J. Plauche in 1948, WDSU has been an eyewitness for historical 
moments that have shaped our region. WDSU was on the scene during the 
building of the Crescent City Connection which connects New Orleans' 
East Bank to the West Bank. The station was there to provide the first 
live election results in the Greater New Orleans area, and WDSU 
reporters were the only ones to live broadcast the World's Fair in New 
Orleans in 1984. The station chronicled the moments leading up to 
landfall of Hurricane Katrina, with coverage during the storm, and the 
days, months, and years following as the people of Southeast Louisiana 
recovered and rebuilt. The station has since covered other major storms 
to hit the area including Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Laura, and Ida.
  The name WDSU is widely recognized across the Greater New Orleans 
area but not

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many know the significance behind the name. The ``W'' in WDSU is used 
by stations east of the Mississippi River. The ``D'' honors the Desoto 
Hotel where the original radio station, formerly known as WCBE, 
broadcasted above. The ``S'' is a nod to the old New Orleans States 
newspaper, and the ``U'' recognizes Joe Uhalt who bought the original 
radio station.
  It is truly my pleasure to recognize WDSU's 75th Anniversary. On 
behalf of the great people of Louisiana's First Congressional District, 
I thank the anchors, photographers, journalists, and the whole staff at 
WDSU for their continued coverage of breaking news, historical events, 
and representation of the Greater New Orleans area, ensuring our 
community is informed and entertained. WDSU's commitment to public 
service and broadcasting does not go unnoticed and is appreciated by 
the entire New Orleans region.

                          ____________________