[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO WILEY PRICE, JR., AFRICAN-AMERICAN RADIO PIONEER

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Wiley Price, 
Jr., an African-American radio Pioneer, for his being posthumously 
inducted into the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists' 
Hall of Fame, on September 25, 2004.
  In 1944, Mr. Price joined radio station WTMV, becoming the first 
African-American radio disc jockey to work on the air in St. Louis. In 
the words of St. Louis writer and media historian, Bernie Hayes:
  ``Wiley Price was one of the most original and imaginative announcers 
of the 20th century. He was far before his time for some, but right on 
time for us. He was a leading figure in the postwar radio movement, and 
developed a unique, distinctive delivery and set the standard for those 
of us who came later. He brought the sound of Black American music to 
millions of white teenagers while giving hundreds of artists their 
first recognition.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Price crusaded against the lack of respect and 
recognition for an entire people. He led his listeners to a new musical 
level and his influence spread over many generations, touching 
different people of all races. The fact that he has been inducted into 
another ``Hall of Fame'' is proof of the depth of his influence.
  His religious background and his broad appreciation for jazz and 
blues allowed him to bring great things to music and the entertainment 
industry.
  He was not only a giant in the radio business but he became a 
cultural icon--something very few people can claim. His audiences 
associated him with values that they held near and dear to their 
hearts.
  Author Ralph Ellison once wrote: ``I am an invisible man. No, I am 
not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe; nor am I one of 
your Hollywood-movie ectoplasms. I am a man of substance, of flesh and 
bone, fiber and liquids--and I might even be said to possess a mind. I 
am invisible; understand, simply because people refuse to see me.''
  But, to the world's benefit, Mr. Price made people see him, and more 
importantly, people listened to him. He did not imitate the style of 
White deejays, but successfully brought a modern and distinctly 
African-American sound into orthodox music.
  In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Price helped shape the character of Black 
radio by challenging big business and bigotry. He helped introduce 
African-Americans into the mainstream of American radio and changed the 
way people around the world connect to music.
  Mr. Speaker. It is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Wiley Price, 
Jr. before the U.S. House of Representatives for his many lifetime 
achievements. He is among my heroes and I am proud to salute him for 
his many lasting contributions to our community.

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