[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING DEEJAY TED ``GUNNER'' OUSLEY

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I would remind some of the Members in the 
back that it is crowded back there. There are a few more seats down 
front if they want to come down here.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize radio deejay Ted ``Gunner'' Ousley, 
who is retiring in June after a career that spanned six decades.
  Gunner started his career at AM 1470 in Maryville, Tennessee, before 
working at 94.3 in Knoxville and the Hit Kicker 100.3 before moving to 
WIVK, or ``WIVK'' as we call it, 107.7, where he spent the last 28 
years.
  Gunner has interviewed some big names in country music over the 
years, like Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. Yes, she 
used to sing country music. When she was 15 years old, she did.
  Gunner loved our veterans and troops and has used his job to help 
them however he can. Back in 2004, he spent 3 months with the 489th 
Special Operations in a combat zone of Iraq and started a weekly radio 
show called ``Voices from the Front'' that allowed troops to 
communicate with their families back home and was used by many troops 
all over the world through the years. He has also hosted the Veterans 
Day parade every year in Knoxville.
  Gunner has also worked with other charities, like St. Jude Children's 
Research Hospital, Knoxville Area Rescue Missionary, Alzheimer's 
Tennessee, and many others.
  He is a man who truly loves his country and his community. He also 
became the first inductee into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Career 
Class of 2024.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Gunner on a great career and wish him the 
best in retirement. I always remember him being good to my daddy, who 
was a World War II veteran.

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