Bill Text: TX HR1492 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating radio station KPAN in Hereford on its 75th anniversary.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-19 - Reported enrolled [HR1492 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR1492-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1492 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Radio station KPAN in Hereford is celebrating its | ||
| 75th anniversary in 2023; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1948, KPAN was established by John Blake and | ||
| former state senator Marshall Formby; Mr. Formby's nephew, Clint | ||
| Formby, helped with the construction of the station, and when it | ||
| debuted on August 4, he was the first announcer to speak over its AM | ||
| frequency; two years later, Marshall Formby bought out his partner; | ||
| his nephew came on board as a partner in 1956 and eventually | ||
| purchased the station; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Clint Formby became a Texas radio legend and | ||
| Panhandle icon; a leader in the industry at the state and national | ||
| level, he also hosted what is considered the longest-running radio | ||
| broadcast by an individual; for over 55 years, he discussed a | ||
| "predictably unpredictable" variety of topics on the Day By Day | ||
| Philosopher program, and he offered listeners an array of | ||
| admonitions, including advice to tip their servers generously and | ||
| kiss their loved ones good night; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Since its inception, KPAN has played country music | ||
| and reported the local news; in the 1960s, it added an FM signal and | ||
| launched a Spanish-language music and news segment; it has been a | ||
| boon to sports fans, covering Hereford High School athletics with | ||
| live play-by-play and relaying broadcasts of Texas Tech University | ||
| football and basketball and Dallas Cowboys games; over the years, | ||
| the station has received numerous awards from the Texas Association | ||
| of Broadcasters, and it was twice named Outstanding Radio Station; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Clint Formby's son Chip joined the station as news | ||
| director and engineer in 1978 and eventually became general manager | ||
| and owner; Chip Formby's sons, Jonathan and Lane, worked at the | ||
| station during their high school and college years; following Chip | ||
| Formby's untimely death, Lane Formby moved back home to carry on the | ||
| family legacy, and he has served as general manager since February | ||
| 2021, working with his mother, Lisa Formby, who is now the majority | ||
| partner along with her two sons; and | ||
| WHEREAS, While consolidation and automation have left few | ||
| stations still serving their communities with live, local | ||
| broadcasting, KPAN continues to embody the spirit of founder | ||
| Marshall Formby's humorous slogan, "The only radio station in the | ||
| world that gives a hoot about Hereford, Texas," and area residents | ||
| are fortunate to have access to this venerable source of | ||
| entertainment, information, and enlightenment; now, therefore, be | ||
| it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby congratulate KPAN on its 75th anniversary and | ||
| extend to all those associated with the station sincere best wishes | ||
| for continued success; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the station as an expression of high regard by the | ||
| Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Smithee | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1492 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 19, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
