[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13143]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE CAREER OF JOHN PILIOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my 
good friend, John Pilios, who will be retiring as news director at KGET 
Channel 17 in Bakersfield, California after dedicating 35 years of his 
life to the California broadcast industry.
   Joining the world of radio broadcasting in 1977 as a Disc Jockey 
with KSEE Radio in Santa Maria, John has done it all. From Program 
Director with KLOM Radio in Lompoc to News Anchor with KSMA Radio, John 
eventually went on to serve as a reporter with KCOY and, in 1990, 
became its News Director. In 1999, he joined the KGET family and in 
2001 became the News Director.
   As one of the longest serving news directors in California, John is 
well known for his impeccable character and carries a reputation for 
high standards--standards that have helped make KGET the most watched 
station in the region. Yet, beyond these accomplishments is a truly 
admirable quality: his passion and commitment to community service.
   It is clear to me and thousands of Kern County residents that John's 
love for the Bakersfield community is genuine. Under his leadership at 
KGET, the station's viewers have raised hundreds of thousands of 
dollars that went to those most in need. From assisting our veterans 
and the elderly, to finding lost animals and helping the homeless, to 
his support for the annual Red Cross Real Heroes event, John's efforts 
have made our community healthier and stronger.
   I firmly believe that John's commitment to the highest standards of 
journalism has not only enriched our community, but carries on the 
American ideal that an informed public is the most important element of 
a free society.
   Though John's tenure at KGET is coming to an end, his ideas, values, 
and standards can be found in the work of reporters and journalists 
across the country who credit their success to him. And, as he enters 
this new chapter in his life, I know he is looking forward to spending 
more time with his wife, Cindy, daughter Dawn, and grandchildren, 
Landen and Paige. I know I join thousands of others in thanking John 
for his contribution to our community and wish him well in retirement.

                          ____________________