[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS

 Mr. WARNOCK. Madam President, today I am honored to help the 
Georgia Association of Broadcasters celebrate 90 years of service to 
Georgians. Throughout nearly a century of existence, the Georgia 
Association of Broadcasters has been a stalwart advocate for the 
television and radio broadcasting industry, consistently pushing the 
boundaries of time and technology to deliver their communities quality, 
reliable news to keep us informed, safe, and connected.
  Across Georgia, local broadcasters and journalists serve as the 
vanguard guardians of truth. Since its establishment in 1934, the GAB 
has been dedicated to representing the interests of radio and 
television broadcasters across the State. It is an organization that 
has played a pivotal role in making Georgia a premier destination for 
broadcast journalists worldwide, shaping the narrative of our 
communities with public education programs, scholarships, and 
professional development opportunities.
  This remarkable journey includes initiatives like the WSB Care-a-
Thon, a testament to the compassionate spirit of Georgia broadcasters, 
sharing stories of hope and inspiration from the Aflac Cancer and Blood 
Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Through generous 
donations, this initiative funds family support services and vital 
research, embodying the association's commitment to making a meaningful 
impact on the lives of those in need.
  And in the quieter corners of our State, we can still rely on sound 
local reporting, like at radio station WBHF in Cartersville, which 
prides itself on providing robust coverage of council meetings in towns 
across Bartow County, local sports and events, or school board 
meetings--nowhere else could local residents find such in-depth and 
impactful stories on what is going on in their own backyard.
  Voices of Valor, a heartfelt project by WJCL in Savannah, stands as a 
corner dedicated to uplifting local troops and military families, as 
well as features honoring the educators shaping the next generation of 
Georgians. And over in Augusta, WRDW partners with Grant Me Hope, 
striving to end potential homelessness among Georgia's fostered youth 
by finding loving, adoptive homes before they age out of the system.
  In times of disaster, the spirit of Georgia broadcasters shines a 
light on our better angels. When severe storms and tornadoes wreak 
havoc across our State, they emerge as the ``first informers,'' 
providing crucial information and assistance. In a remarkable display 
of community solidarity, local TV and radio stations, like WTVM, WRBL, 
and others, join forces for tornado relief campaigns, setting up online 
donation portals and donation drop-off locations that raise hundreds of 
thousands of dollars for those in need.
  These initiatives underscore a fundamental truth: A story is more 
than a script or a soundbite; it is an opportunity to see ourselves in 
others, to recognize our shared humanity, and to know that we are not 
alone in this world or within our communities.
  Today, I commend the Georgia Association of Broadcasters for their 
tireless commitment to public service, and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating them on an extraordinary 90 years of dedicated 
service and storytelling to the people of Georgia.

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