Assembly Resolution No. 1086

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of WSKG Public
Media on October 22, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals and
organizations which have helped shape the history of broadcasting in
this great State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of WSKG Public Media on Wednesday,
October 22, 2025; and

WHEREAS, WSKG's first radio broadcast took place on October 22,
1975, bringing National Public Radio and classical music to the Southern
Tier of New York State; and

WHEREAS, WSKG Public Media is a station based in Vestal, New York,
operated by WSKG Public Telecommunications Council, a private non-profit
corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the
State of New York in association with the New York State Department of
Education; and

WHEREAS, This admirable station, WSKG, works diligently to present
relevant news and educational programs while celebrating a vibrant arts
community, enthusiastically pursuing local productions that tell the
stories of its community, proudly reaching rural and underserved urban
areas; and

WHEREAS, WSKG Public Media seeks educational, social, and cultural
concerns to address through public telecommunications in cooperation
with others and does so through the Community Advisory Board, featuring
listeners and viewers from various communities in WSKG's coverage area;
and

WHEREAS, WSKG Public Media is comprised of curious storytellers who
strive to share information about the region's history while also
highlighting the arts and cultural traditions that bring individuals
together and serve to inspire; Brian Frey is one such storyteller; and

WHEREAS, Brian Frey is a New York State Emmy award-winning filmmaker
of over two dozen documentaries for WSKG and Public Television for over
30 years; his films include the biographies of shoe magnate George F.
Johnson and IBM founder Thomas Watson; he is also the writer and
director behind the films "The Flood of '35," "Link: The Quiet Genius,"
"Old Bones: The story of Exterminator" and "The Devil's Fire" which
chronicles the tragic 1913 Binghamton Clothing Factory fire, which won
him his fourth Emmy Award for excellence in writing; his most recent
documentary, "North to Freedom," tells the story of the Underground
Railroad in this region of New York, and the individuals helping
enslaved people reach freedom; and

WHEREAS, Today, WSKG Public Media is host to an original hour-long
newscast titled "The Ten O'Clock Report," and serves as the primary NPR
member station for the Southern Tier of New York and portions of
Northern Pennsylvania, utilizing an extensive network of repeaters and
translators to maintain its reach; and

WHEREAS, WSKG Public Media reports a total reach of approximately
350,000 to 500,000 households across 21 counties in New York and
Northern Pennsylvania through its combined over-the-air streaming and
community platforms; and

WHEREAS, WSKG has a rich and proud history; that history has been a
catalyst for today's successful performance by the station and the
foundation for the future of radio broadcast in Central New York and
beyond; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the past 50 years, WSKG Public Media has
flourished and broadened its programming, becoming more popular with
increasing support from its listeners; and

WHEREAS, The success of WSKG is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its leadership and staff whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
its listeners; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious broadcast stations which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their
communities, promoted the arts, and brought local news and news of the
larger world to their listeners and viewers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of WSKG Public Media on October 22,
2025; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to WSKG Public Media.