December 10, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 18 24705 RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE IN RECOGNITION OF AM 560 KWTO While not originating his program from JON PORTER ON THE OCCASION RADIO’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF KWTO, Ralph Foster’s close friend Paul Har- OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE SERVING SOUTHWEST vey frequently broadcasted live from the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- KWTO studio. TIVES HON. More contemporary alums from KWTO now OF MISSOURI hold important positions in business, education IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and broadcasting including Greene County HON. JO BONNER Clerk Richard Struckhoff, President of the St. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Johns Foundation Mike Peters, and Vice OF Mr. BLUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to President of University Advancement at Mis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honor an institution—KWTO Radio. souri State University Brent Dunn, just to AM 560 KWTO will celebrate its 75th anniver- name a few. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 sary of continuous service to Southwest Mis- KWTO has long provided vital information to Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today souri providing music, news and information. its family of listeners on local and world to honor the distinguished career of the Hon- On Christmas Day 1933, broadcast pioneer events. It’s where Ozarkers learned on a cold Ralph Foster brought KWTO to life with its first December morning about the attack on Pearl orable JON PORTER for his service to the peo- ple of Nevada and the House of broadcast from the old Chamber of Commerce Harbor and heard President Roosevelt’s re- Building on St. Louis Street in Springfield. sponse a day later. KWTO was also the Representatives. Congressman PORTER has Foster decided that KWTO’s hallmark would source for news of the surrender of the Impe- represented the Third Congressional District of be to provide the highest quality news, weath- rial Japanese Armed Forces. Its broadcasters the State of Nevada for the past 6 years. er, farm reports and entertainment to its lis- reported the shocking news of President Roo- Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa, JON teners and dubbed the station’s call letters sevelt’s death as well as the elation of Presi- attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, ‘‘Keep Watching the Ozarks.’’ Adherence to dent Harry Truman’s surprise win in 1948. Iowa, majoring in Theology. JON later moved that tradition has kept KWTO the region’s KWTO was home to the Lone Ranger and to Henderson, Nevada, to begin his profes- longest continuously operating radio station. many other radio favorites for generations. sional career as a small business owner with 75 years is a long time to keep any busi- KWTO’s commitment to community involve- the Farmers Insurance Group. JON’s political ness going. By hiring great talent in broad- ment has also been an integral part of its mis- career began with his election to the Boulder casting and entertainment, Foster amassed an sion to enhance the quality of life for its lis- City City Council in 1983. Immediately fol- amazing group of artists and journalists that teners. There was ‘‘free ride day’’ that started lowing his term on the City Council, JON was would become well known and trusted names as a charity event cosponsored with the Sal- elected mayor of Boulder City in 1987 and in radio. Floyd Sullivan, Bill Bailey and C.C. vation Army at the Ozark Empire Fair and the went on to serve in the Nevada State Senate. Williford, who was widely known as one of the hugely successful KWTO Christmas Parties He was elected to the U.S. House of Rep- nation’s best weathermen, filled the region’s held at the Shrine Mosque that drew crowds resentatives in 2002, becoming the first Rep- airwaves from the 1930s. so large some people had to be turned away. resentative of the newly created Third Con- Another group of broadcasters were also Local news has always been a critical part gressional District. laying the foundation for what would become of KWTO’s commitment to the region. Report- ‘‘the Golden Age’’ of entertainment on KWTO ing on a wide range of social, political, law en- Appointed to the powerful Ways and Means AM. Slim Wilson, George Earl and Bill Ring forcement, and events that marked and Committee at the beginning of the 110th Con- were the showmen that Foster and associate shaped the area was a mainstay of everyday gress, JON used this post to influence revenue Si Simon used to launch and develop pro- programming. In more recent years, the legislation affecting the gaming and tourism in- gramming that would take a weekly ‘‘hillbilly KWTO microphones have been opened to the dustries which are the backbone of Nevada’s variety’’ program and turned it into one of tele- public for talk show programming that gives economy. He also worked to shed light on visions early sensations. voice to a range of opinions. travel requirements in order to facilitate easier KWTO’s Korn’s-A-Krackin’, which began air- This Christmas Day AM 560 KWTO Radio travel to and from the United States in order ing during World War II and continued into the will celebrate its 75th year of operations and to boost tourism to the Third District. 1960s, was picked up nationally by the Mutual its continuing dedication to serving the Ozarks. Education has also been a priority of JON’s. Broadcast System. In July 1954, KWTO be- I wish KWTO and its current owner Kenneth Working with John Walsh, child advocate and came part of American broadcast history when Myer continued success and many more years host of America’s Most Wanted, JON intro- the KWTO Barn Dance program was re- of ‘‘Keep Watching the Ozarks.’’ duced legislation mandating criminal back- vamped for the brand new medium and f ground checks for teachers in States that had named The Ozarks Jubilee. This live program broadcast from Springfield was an early TV hit RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE not previously required them. The House MARILYN MUSGRAVE ON THE passed bill was later enacted as part of the (1955 to 1960 on ABC). KWTO, which also produced the Ozarks OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT larger Adam Walsh Child Protection Act. Country Jubilee, and its television cousin used FROM THE U.S. HOUSE OF REP- JON is also a founding member of the ‘‘Sec- local artists like Wilson, , Mother RESENTATIVES ond Amendments,’’ a bipartisan band of con- Maybelle Carter and the Carter Family, John- gressional Members that plays for various ny Cash, Porter Waggoner, , Brenda HON. JO BONNER charities in Washington. The band has also Lee and a guitar player named . OF ALABAMA traveled to Iraq playing for the troops at These were staff musicians hired to perform IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Christmas. live on KWTO from the 1930s through 1950s Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join well before they established iconic careers in me in recognizing a dedicated leader and that led many to Country Music Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today friend to many in this body. I know his family, Hall of Fame and/or the Grand Ole Opry dec- to honor the distinguished career of the Hon- orable MARILYN MUSGRAVE for her service to his children, J. Chris and Nicole, as well as his ades later. the people of Colorado and the United States many friends and colleagues join me in hon- Other notables broadcasting for KWTO at House of Representatives. Congresswoman oring his accomplishments and extending the start of their careers: Charles McCord, from the nationally syn- MUSGRAVE has represented the Fourth Con- thanks for his service over the years on behalf dicated Don Imus Show, and whose grand- gressional District of the State of Colorado for of the State of Nevada and the United States mother, May Kennedy McCord, was also a the past six years. of America. KWTO broadcaster during the 40s and 50s. Born and raised in Weld County, Colorado, JON will surely enjoy the well deserved time Jim Bohannon, now nationally syndicated MARILYN cleaned houses and waited tables to he now has to spend with his family and loved and a member of the Radio Broadcaster Hall earn a degree from Colorado State University. ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his fu- of Fame, was a news reporter at KWTO. She married her high school sweetheart, ture endeavors. Les Garvin, creator of MTV. Steve, during college and taught school for

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