[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21308]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF RADIO STATION KZRG'S RESPONSE TO THE JOPLIN TORNADO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
service of one of the 7th District of Missouri's radio stations, KZRG.
  KZRG is an AM radio station broadcasting from Joplin, Missouri that 
does news broadcasting for Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, or 
as they call it, ``the four state'' area.
  On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, devastating 
a once quiet Missouri town. On that Sunday evening, Joplin was forever 
changed. Much was destroyed. Family, friends, neighbors, homes and 
businesses disappeared in the blink of a tornado's eye. After the winds 
stilled, over 160 people, 8,000 homes and 500 businesses were lost.
  The early days were tough. Shock and disbelief, chaos and 
devastation, but out of that wreckage came hope and inspiration. We 
found out there are a lot of heroes in Joplin. During those dark hours 
they stood up and came to the aid of their community when their 
neighbors needed them most. There is no better example of that than the 
associates at KZRG.
  Despite the fact that seven KZRG associates lost homes during the 
tornado, despite seeing their town in ruins, despite the horror and 
devastation of one of the most destructive tornados in American 
history, KZRG continued to broadcast and report, 24 hours a day, on-air 
and in the field.
  The tornado's widespread devastation damaged or destroyed much of 
Joplin's cell phone towers and phone and electrical lines. This left 
much of the community powerless and unable to communicate. However, the 
radio broadcasts of KZRG continued. KZRG remained on air, 24 hours a 
day, seven days a week, giving folks critical and time-sensitive 
information as it was happening. KZRG was there, helping the police 
dispatch their officers, helping loved ones find each other, helping 
community leaders coordinate disaster recovery efforts. Truly, 
journalism at its finest.
  They also launched a relief collection effort, which collected food, 
clothing, and toiletry items to listeners in need. In fact, their 
station became a meeting place of sorts, for emergency personnel and 
volunteers. They became a symbol of the community getting back on its 
feet.
  Folks in Southwest Missouri should be proud to know that in times of 
trouble, KZRG was and will always be there. I too am proud and honored 
to call the associates of KZRG my fellow citizens and neighbors in the 
7th Congressional District of Missouri.

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