24630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 18 September 18, 2007 in honor of Howard Gittis’s contribu- age. Two years later, he broadcast the This man was a great American, a tion to the law school and his chari- first television shows to Fairbanks great Alaskan, and my great friend. table support of the university. when he built KTVF. Augie’s TV sta- f Not only did he support the Univer- tions brought history’s defining events 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE sity of Pennsylvania, but he also from around the globe into Alaska’s UNITED STATES AIR FORCE served on the board of Temple Univer- living rooms. In 1969, Augie gave us the sity for 31 years, including 5 as chair- first live satellite broadcasts, and Alas- Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today man of the board, and the Temple Stu- kans from Fairbanks to Anchorage I would like to pay tribute to the U.S. dent Center is named for him. watched Neil Armstrong walk on the Air Force as it commemorates its 60th Always affable, always cheerful, al- moon. anniversary, known as ‘‘Heritage to ways ready to lend assistance to As Alaska’s broadcast industry grew, Horizons . . . Commemorating 60 Years friends or even to those who were not so did Augie’s family. He and his wife of Air and Space Power.’’ New Mexico close friends. He left an indelible mark Pat raised four daughters. has maintained a long and close rela- in the Philadelphia legal community During his long career in broad- tionship with the U.S. Air Force, and I and in the New York business commu- casting, Augie served Alaska in many am proud to congratulate the Air nity. ways. He was the founder and president Force on its 60th anniversary. His funeral services occurred earlier of the Alaska Broadcasters Associa- New Mexico is home to Cannon, today in New York and burial occurred tion. When I was practicing law, I Holloman, and Kirtland Air Force this afternoon in Philadelphia. helped him form that association. Bases as well as the former Walker Air I think it appropriate to pay tribute Every year, Augie brought a group of Force Base. We in New Mexico are hon- to an outstanding American who did so Alaskan broadcasters to Washington ored and proud that so many Air Force much for the legal profession and so for Alaska Day at the Federal Commu- officers and airmen, whose profes- much for charitable contributions with nications Commission, where he gave sionalism and dedication are unsur- both the University of Pennsylvania them a rare opportunity to speak on a passed, have called New Mexico home. one-to-one basis with commissioners and Temple University. The fact that the Air Force is cele- about the unique challenges facing f brating Air and Space Power is not lost broadcasters in Alaska. But Augie’s ef- on New Mexico, where work is done in TRIBUTE TO AUGIE HIEBERT forts to educate the FCC about Alas- both areas. Holloman will be a premier Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I have kan broadcasting didn’t end there. He site of air power when the 49th Tactical come to the Senate floor today to invited them, and the entire FCC at Fighter Wing becomes home to the F– honor one of Alaska’s most admired one time traveled to Alaska at his re- 22A Raptor, the most advanced fighter pioneers and a dear friend of mine and quest. in the world. Cannon is also undergoing In the early 1980s, Augie led the fight my whole family. changes and growth in the air power to preserve AM broadcast coverage in Alaskans will remember Augie arena, as Air Force Special Operations Alaska, which resulted in the creation Hiebert for his many achievements in Command stands up a new wing at Can- of the class of the 1–N FCC category, a the field of broadcasting and for open- non on October 1. Kirtland continues to category just for our State of Alaska. ing the doors to modern communica- grow as home to much space work, in- Over the years, Augie introduced tions for all Alaskans. In a State with cluding the Air Force Research Labora- countless Alaskans to broadcasting and few roads, where hundreds of miles of tory’s Space Vehicle Directorate and gave many their start in the industry. wilderness often separate towns and the Operationally Responsive Space Of- Though he officially retired in 1997, villages, Alaskans rely upon airwaves Augie remained committed to the fu- fice. to connect them with people and For the last 60 years, America has ture of broadcasting in Alaska, and been protected by the greatest Air events across our State, across the until the day of his death, he was talk- country, and around the globe. Augie ing to me about the problem of white Force in the world. I salute the men was one of the first to bring the bene- spaces in the current debate over new and women of the Air Force and hope fits of broadcast technology to our last digital broadcasting. that on the Air Force’s 60th anniver- frontier. He became a mentor to the students sary, New Mexicans will take time to At an early age, Augie developed a at Mirror Lake Middle School in thank the officers and airmen who fascination for electronics and radio Chugiak, AK, where he shared his en- have served and honor the memory of which would lead him to a career in thusiasm for broadcasting and he those who have given their lives in our broadcasting. While growing up on an helped students produce news programs defense. orchard in Washington State during for the school’s closed-circuit tele- Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, GEN H.H. the Great Depression, Augie built his vision system, and they did that every ‘‘Hap’’ Arnold, USAF, once said, ‘‘A own first radio. He earned his ham morning before school started. He modern, autonomous, and thoroughly radio license at the age of 15. He was showed them how to prepare a morning trained Air Force in being at all times just 22 years old when he came to Fair- show for their school. Augie brought will not alone be sufficient, but with- banks in 1939 to help a friend build leading professionals in the field of out it there can be no national secu- KFAR Radio. broadcasting to Mirror Lake to share rity.’’ It is in the name of our national On the morning of December 7, 1941, their experiences and knowledge with security that today I recognize the Augie was listening to ham radio these students. Today, the school oper- U.S. Air Force’s 60th anniversary. broadcasts at KFAR’s transmitter ates a low-powered FM radio station One hundred years ago, Henry H. when he heard of the attack on Pearl which Augie helped build and license. ‘‘Hap’’ Arnold graduated from the U.S. Harbor. He was one of the first in Alas- It is the only class D low-powered radio Military Academy. That same year, in ka to hear the shocking news and im- license in the country issued to a August 1907, the U.S. Army Signal mediately alerted the commander of school. Corps established an aeronautical divi- Ladd Field right there in Fairbanks. Rather than all of the firsts he sion to oversee ‘‘military ballooning, Having witnessed firsthand the im- achieved during his long career, Alas- air machines and all kindred subjects.’’ pact broadcasting had on the lives of kans will remember Augie most as the Arnold went on to become the Chief of those who were living in Alaskan terri- man who made the Nation’s largest the Army Air Corps, and 2 years after tory, Augie set out to bring the tech- State a little bit smaller. His efforts the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a nology of television to what we call our brought us closer to one another and separate branch of the military in 1947, great land. In 1953, Augie built Alas- closer to the rest of the world. Our 3 years after General Arnold’s retire- ka’s first television station, KTVA, thoughts and prayers are with Augie’s ment, Congress appointed him to the bringing news, weather, sports, and en- daughters, their families, and all who rank of five star general in the Air tertainment to the people of Anchor- loved him. Force—the first and only in its history.

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