[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16199]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 16199]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

                        IN HONOR OF JUKE VAN OSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent Juke 
Van Oss. Juke has been involved in West Michigan radio for 50 years, 
but August 12 does not just mark the anniversary of his involvment in 
radio--it also serves as a reminder of over 50 years of community 
involvement in areas that extend far beyond the airwaves. Juke's 
service has ranged from the Saugutuck School Board and Village Council, 
including three years as Mayor, to a position as President of the 
Chamber of Commerce and a seat on the Region 8 Criminal Justice 
Planning Council.
  Juke got his start in radio during World War II. Shortly after being 
transferred out of Air Force radio school to the infantry, he was sent 
to Luzon where he was given 50 pounds of radio equipment to carry 
around the Pacific theater. After discharge Juke remained involved in 
radio, earning his Ham license and applying to be an engineer at WHTC 
1450 AM. On August 10, 1951 he got his First Class license in Chicago, 
and his career began two days later.
  Juke's big break came one morning when the host didn't arrive on 
time. He spent an hour on the air, the people loved him, and when the 
morning slot opened up he had a new job. Juke tried a number of 
different shows and formats, and it was 40 years ago that he settled 
into something that suited his amiable nature: He began hosting ``Talk 
of the Town,'' the mid-morning show that made him famous.
  Over 50 year Juke has entertained more listeners than can numbered, 
and he has seen many people come and go. He has worked with folks who 
went on to their own successful careers in radio and television, and he 
has worked through changes in listeners, changes in topics, changes in 
partners, changes in formats, and changes in technology. Through it all 
Juke Van Oss has remained the constant.

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