[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     25TH ANNIVERSARY OF KILI RADIO

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I celebrate the 25th 
anniversary of KILI Radio on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. For 25 
years, this radio station has served as the Voice of the Lakota Nation. 
It serves as an important communications tool for members of the Oglala 
Sioux Tribe, some western residents of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the 
general listening public in a region that reaches as far as the sacred 
Black Hills.
  At times throughout its history, this radio station has served as an 
important part of the Emergency Broadcast System, getting word to 
listeners of severe weather, fire, or other emergency situations on the 
horizon. It also serves as a vital tool to inform people about 
community meetings, educational opportunities, danger prevention 
activities, and others. KILI Radio also plays a crucial role in 
maintaining the Lakota language on the reservation, with its DJs and 
other programming hosts often speaking in Lakota or with Lakota-
speaking guests. The station's coverage of sporting events is 
exceptionally popular with KILI listeners and is one of the station's 
top-ranked areas of programming.
  Perched atop Porcupine Butte, KILI Radio plays an integral part of 
life on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Without its existence, lives may 
have been lost to emergency situations it reported over the airwaves. 
Lakota language preservation efforts would also have languished. I 
applaud KILI Radio for working tirelessly to preserve the Lakota 
language and culture while also promoting, educating, and entertaining 
listeners with the good news of Lakota youth, elders, and 
entrepreneurs. Whether it is coverage of basketball tournaments, 
conferences on issues of importance to the Lakota people or holding 
politicians' feet to the fire, KILI Radio is a way of life for the Pine 
Ridge community. I wish to commend the efforts of all of KILI Radio's 
staff and volunteers I especially want to congratulate Tom Casey on 23 
years of service to the radio station. He serves both as a radio voice, 
and a man behind the scenes to ensure KILI's survival.
  I would also like to recognize the efforts of those who came together 
with the vision for the wind turbine that was erected earlier this 
month. On a practical level, the turbine will generate energy to power 
the radio station and its electrical needs. One cannot overlook the 
symbolism however, to imagine KILI Radio again operating off the grid, 
and on its own terms. Congratulations, KILI Radio on your silver 
anniversary and thank you for all that you have done and all that you 
continue to do.

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