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Proclamation congratulating KDKA as it celebrates 70 years of providing constant news to the people of Allegheny County
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WHEREAS, born of a belief in local broadcasting and a dream of community service, KDKA is a pioneer in broadcasting that always held close to its founding mission and made sure to provide constant news to the people of Allegheny County and surrounding region; and
WHEREAS, on Tuesday, January 11, 1949, Pittsburgh’s first television station was launched, WDTV, part of DuMont Television Network, and later became known as KDKA; and
WHEREAS, a few years later, WDTV realized the need for 24-hour programming, and in March 1952 it became the first television station in the country to broadcast a 24-hour program; and
WHEREAS, in 1954, the station moved to Gateway Center in Downtown Pittsburgh and changed the letters from WDTV to KDKA, becoming America’s first radio and television station committed to local programming; and
WHEREAS, over the years, KDKA has had an extensive and impressive list of renowned tv anchors. Some of KDKA’s early anchors included Dave Murray, Al McDowell, Paul Long and Don Riggs. From 1953 to 1989, Bill Burns was the face of KDKA-TV. In the 1960s, KDKA became one of the first stations to hire African-American reporters and give more prominent roles to female journalists, including journalist Marie Torre. Other notable longtime KDKA newscasters have included Bob Kudzma, Bill Currie, Wayne Van Dine, Al Julius, Patrice King Brown, Lynne Hayes-Freeland, Harold Hayes, Mary Robb Jackson, Ralph Iannotti, Bob Pompeani, Jon Burnett, Stacy Smith, Paul Martino, Brenda Waters and John Shumway, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, KDKA has been a staple in Allegheny County broadcasting and the station’s news coverage is a true testament to that. KDKA’s anchors have been sent around the world on assignment, visiting places like Russia, Vietnam, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and The Vatican. The station has been present for three of the Pirates’ five World Series championships, all five of the Penguins Stanley Cup championships and all six of the Steelers Super Bowl championships; and
WHEREAS, not only is KDKA committed to providing continuous news to the people of Allegheny County, they are dedicated to giving back and do so with their annual KD Turkey Fund and the Children’s Hospital Free Care Friends Benefit Show;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Council Member Bob Macey and All Members of Council, do hereby congratulate and join in celebration with KDKA as it celebrates 70 years provide constant news to the people of this region, and we thank the station for remaining committed to fair and honest reporting since 1949.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 22nd day of January 2019.