Assembly Resolution No. 550

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

COMMENDING WIBX 950 AM upon the occasion of its
100th Anniversary of broadcasting

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes immense pride in the success of
radio stations and their ability to communicate with a wide array of
citizens to bring them together through news, music, sports, and; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with it
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend WIBX 950 AM upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary of
broadcasting; and

WHEREAS, On December 5, 1925, when radio was in its infancy, one of
New York's oldest radio stations, WIBX, signed on the air for the very
first time; there were only about 1,600 stations operating throughout
the United States at the time and only 19% of households had radio
receivers; and

WHEREAS, WIBX 1460 AM started broadcasting in the Clark Building in
downtown Utica, New York, and would proceed to move around the dial
until 1948, when it would settle as WIBX 950 AM, almost a year after the
FCC granted the move from 1230 AM to 950 AM; and

WHEREAS, It wasn't until the late 1930s that radios would be
considered standard features in cars, and it was during this time that
WIBX would become an affiliate of Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and
would broadcast programs from the "the Golden Age of Radio" including
dramas, comedies, soap operas, sports, and newscasts which would become
the standard for the top and bottom of every hours; and

WHEREAS, In the 1950s, the sports talk program Sportswatch debuted
and would continue until 2013, seeing many legendary hosts that would
move on to the national scene; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s and 1970s, WIBX continued to evolve and engage
their listeners by broadcasting new programs and incorporating
everything popular; and

WHEREAS, WIBX would become known for its Middle of the Road (MOR)
format which would include a mixture of music, personality, sports,
nationally syndicated programs, and news; and

WHEREAS, As the decades changed, so did their lineup; in the
late-1980s, WIBX dropped music and transitioned to the news-talk format
that it runs today, featuring Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated
program and its affiliations with Fox News Radio; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its broadcasting history, WIBX has witnessed and
reported on major world events such as broadcasting during the Great
Depression, Prohibition, the attack on Pearl Harbor, six different wars,
the assassination of President Kennedy, the attacks on September 11th,
and the Coronavirus pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 100 years, WIBX has covered world-breaking
news, been committed to the engagement of their listeners, bringing life
to broadcasting, and making way for what it is today; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to honor and commend WIBX
950 AM for its outstanding contributions to the broadcasting and radio
industry, and bringing people all over the Utica community together
through its said contributions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to
commend WIBX 950 AM upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary of
broadcasting, and celebrate its remarkable history, work, and
contributions to the broadcasting and radio industry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to WIBX 950 AM.