The New York State Senate

J48

Senate Resolution No. 48

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 95th Anniversary of WIBX

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious networks which have worked diligently and
consistently, year after year, to bring quality programming to their
communities as well as local news and news of the larger world to their
listeners; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 95th Anniversary of WIBX; and

WHEREAS, Through its programming, WIBX of Utica, New York, has
strived to inform, educate and empower the citizens of the Mohawk Valley
and surrounding areas for over nine decades, making it one of the oldest
radio stations in the state; and

WHEREAS, WIBX 1460 AM signed onto the air for the first time on
December 5, 1925, from the Clark Building in downtown Utica; the
following year, it was incorporated and ever since, it has stayed true
to its mission of establishing and maintaining a radio sending station
and broadcasting by radio, music, entertainment, speeches, advertising
matter, and radio messages of all kinds; and

WHEREAS, In the 1930s, WIBX was an affiliate of the Columbia
Broadcasting System (CBS) and broadcasted programs from the Golden Age
of Radio including dramas, comedies, soap operas and sports, and
newscasts which appeared at the top and bottom of every hour; and

WHEREAS, WIBX became 950 AM and its power increased to 500 watts in
1948, and in the 1950s, "Sportswatch" debuted and continued until 2013;
through the next couple of decades, the station was known for its Middle
of the Road (MOR) format which included a mixture of music and
personality, sports, nationally syndicated programs and news; and

WHEREAS, WIBX switched gears in the late-1980s, and moved to the
news-talk format featuring Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated program
and became affiliated with Fox News Radio; and

WHEREAS, Today, WIBX's lineup consists of "First News with Keeler in
the Morning", followed by Brian Kilmeade, Rush Limbaugh and Sean
Hannity; during the evening hours, people tune into "Eyewitness News,"
the "Best of Keeler," Larry Elder, "When Radio Was," and "Coast to Coast
AM"; and

WHEREAS, A vital part of the 21st Century, WIBX also offers live
streaming and a mobile app and its website is ranked among the top
performers in the region; and

WHEREAS, In a world where new knowledge is acquired each and every
day, WIBX has truly established itself as an integral proponent of
community awareness and involvement; as it moves into the future, it

carries with it the legacy of a distinguished broadcasting history and
an outstanding record of growth and achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 95th Anniversary of WIBX, fully confident that it will
continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far;
and be it further

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