LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending WUFO 1080 upon the occasion of cele-
brating its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-
tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of all
countries and all cultures are portrayed in their music and dance; the
art and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
WUFO 1080 upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, WUFO, the broadcast voice of black Buffalo, is turn-
ing 50; known for playing gospel, blues and neosoul, the station also
provides the black community with information, both local and otherwise,
that is not present in mainstream media; and
WHEREAS, WUFO was Western New York's first radio station programming
to the African-American community, serving as "The Spirit of Western New
York" today, it remains committed to serving the Western New York commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, The station was established in 1961, when famed station owner
Gordon McLendon moved his then 1080 am WYSL to 1400 and sold the 1080
frequency to Leonard Walk, a Jewish man with a group of Black formatted
stations, including WAMO Pittsburgh and WILD Boston; and
WHEREAS, Soon thereafter, Leonard Walk purchased the 1080 frequency in
1961, and chose the "WUFO" call letters and named the station "WU-FO in
Buffalo", and provided the famed rhyming and identification with
"Buffalo", that the owners desired; and
WHEREAS, WUFO 1080 am began officially broadcasting on November 2,
1962, with famed Cleveland Disc Jockey Eddie O'Jay as the first person-
ality on air broadcasting with a "rhythm and blues" format; and
WHEREAS, WUFO has provided the nation with some of the most popular
African-American radio personalities, some of which include famed New
York City disc jockey Frankie Crocker, Gary Byrd, Jerry Bledsoe, Thelka
McCall and her son Dwayne Dancer Donovan, Don Allen, Don Mullins, Sunny
Jim Kelsey, Al Brisbane, Jimmy Lyons, H.F. Stone, Chucky T, Al Parker,
Gary Lanier, Kelly Carson, Darcel Howell, Mouzon, brothers, David Wilson
and Mark Vann, Lee Pettigrew, Dwayne "Landers" Cumberlander and "The
Discotizer" Keith Pollard; the list of the "Greats" associated with this
station continues to grow; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, the Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation purchased
Dynamic Broadcasting making WUFO historic for being the only African
American owned station in Western New York to this day; and
WHEREAS, Today, WUFO plays urban contemporary and gospel hits mixed
with community oriented talk and Soul Oldies; over fifty years later,
Sheridan remains the proud owner of WUFO 1080; and
WHEREAS, This occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative
Body to recognize and pay tribute to the close relationship between the
members of WUFO and the citizens of its community; and
WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction as WUFO provide a model
for enhancing the quality of life in the community and, as such, merit
the grateful praise of the community of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those organizations of true purpose and worthy accomplishment which

foster a spirit of community and service and, simultaneously, work dili-
gently to preserve their rich cultural heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend WUFO 1080 upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to WUFO 1080.