TITLE: Commemorating the 60th anniversary of KTRE-TV in Lufkin.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 60th anniversary of KTRE-TV in Lufkin.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The pioneering Lufkin television station KTRE is marking its 60th anniversary in 2015; and WHEREAS, Headed by E. L. Kurth, the Forest Capital Broadcasting Company obtained a television license from the Federal Communications Commission in 1953 and began construction on a TV station with the same call letters as its radio station, KTRE; when it went on the air on August 31, 1955, KTRE-TV became the first satellite station in the country; and WHEREAS, Over the years, the ABC affiliate expanded its audience through a number of popular programs, including the HH Ranch Show,Howdy Doody,and The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok;the station was purchased in 1964 by Lucille Buford, who made it a satellite of Tyler-based KLTV and converted it to color broadcasts; owned by Raycom Media since 2006, KTRE began broadcasting a digital-only signal in 2009 and airing programs in the high definition format in 2013; and WHEREAS, Today, the award-winning station reaches an audience of approximately 400,000 people in 29 counties; it benefits from the able leadership of vice president and general manager Pat Stacey and station manager Starla Bickerstaff, as well as from the hard work of its dedicated staff; and WHEREAS, For six decades, since the dawn of television broadcasting in East Texas, KTRE has been a reliable source of news, weather, sports, and entertainment for area residents, and the station continues to enrich and enlighten its community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 60th anniversary of KTRE-TV and extend to all those associated with the station sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for KTRE as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Ashby Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 3040 was adopted by the House on May 30, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House