[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to 
rise today to recognize Minnesota Public Radio's 40 years of 
broadcasting excellence.
  Minnesota Public Radio--or simply ``MPR'' as it is known to its many 
members and fans--began humbly on January 22nd, 1967, as a small radio 
station at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Thanks 
to the extraordinary vision and dogged determination of then-recent 
graduate Bill Kling (now MPR President) and future college president 
Father Colman Barry, that little college radio station has grown into a 
37-station network that serves nearly 800,000 every day with its 
programming for radio, Internet and in-person audiences. Nationally, 
MPR reaches more than 14 million people through original programs 
produced by American Public Media.
  Throughout the years, MPR has earned distinction as one of the 
nation's finest public radio systems, offering world-class news and 
cultural programming. Its vision has always included strengthening 
radio nationally. In 1970, MPR helped provide the leadership to found 
National Public Radio, with President Kling serving on NPR's first 
board of directors. In 1982, MPR launched American Public Radio and its 
corporate parent (later renamed American Public Media), which 
distributes Minnesota Public Radio programming, to affiliate stations 
nationwide.
  One of MPR's most formative years was 1974, when a talented young 
writer who was working as a classical music host at the station began a 
regular Saturday night variety show. The host was Garrison Keillor, the 
show ``A Prairie Home Companion,'' and the rest was history. From its 
home in St. Paul's Fitzgerald Theater, and on the road, ``A Prairie 
Home Companion'' continues to entertain listeners every Saturday night 
on MPR and on public radio stations across America.
  MPR has come a long way since its college radio station beginnings. 
It continues to expand and enhance its programming to serve a diverse, 
dynamic and growing audience. In recent years, it has launched ``The 
Current,'' a critically acclaimed music service helping to showcase 
local talent in addition to its news and information and classical 
music services. In 2006, MPR completed a $46 million capital campaign 
that has enlarged its St. Paul headquarters, adding to the network's 
ability to serve the public through high-quality programming.
  MPR news and information earns its reputation as ``the most trusted 
news source'' for Minnesotans daily with its thorough and thoughtful 
coverage and timely reporting. This trust is exemplified through MPR's 
partnership with the State of Minnesota to maintain and improve the 
technical infrastructure to the state's Emergency Alert System (EAS). 
In addition, MPR serves as the backbone of the state's AMBER Alert 
child abduction warning system.
  I join my fellow Minnesotans who are so proud of MPR's commitment to 
its audience. We rely on MPR for news without spin, for high quality 
music and cultural programming. Most of all, we appreciate the people 
who make MPR great. They have built a strong foundation that will 
ensure that MPR will be serving listeners for decades to come.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in commending Minnesota Public Radio 
for its contributions to Minnesota and the nation throughout its first 
40 years on the air.

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