FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2010   
MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

In Support of KFUO 99.1 FM “Classic 99”
A Floor Statement by
Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri
February 23, 2010 

“Madam Speaker, I stand today on behalf of my constituents and with my friend and colleague Congressman John Shimkus to raise further concern about the pending sale and format change of Classic 99.  As St. Louis’ only classical radio station, Classic 99 is a true asset to our city.
 
As Congressman Shimkus noted, the sale of KFUO 99.1 FM by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is currently under review by both the Media Bureau and the FCC.  While we certainly do not wish to exact undue influence on either of these agencies, our constituents have made clear to us their concerns, and we agree that this loss will be a blow to the wealth of our region’s culture and economy. We hope that these negative impacts will be considered while reviewing this sale.
 
We have seen that losing the arts can wreak havoc on a community.  If Classic 99 is converted to a different music format, the cultural and economic consequences will be dismal.  The world-renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will lose airtime and its chief advertising venue, forcing gifted musicians and staff to suffer even more pay cuts and freezes.  Losing Classic 99 will result in a cultural deficit as well.  94% of readers polled by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch feel that the loss of Classic 99 “takes away a vital voice for the arts in this community,” and will detrimentally affect their ability to support local artists.
 
Arts education organizations throughout my district, like the Opera Theater of St. Louis, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the Touhill Performing Arts Center, will lose their only major arena for audience-building, live broadcasts and fund-raising.  This loss of revenue will hinder arts and music education in the district, further impairing opportunities for our young people to be enriched through the arts.  We know that arts education gives youth self-confidence and increases academic achievement.  We simply can not afford to sacrifice these opportunities, and I am deeply troubled by the idea that more educational outlets for our children will be put into jeopardy by this move.
 
I firmly agree with my colleague that the negative impact these cultural and economic changes will have on the local community should play a role in determining the sale of 99.1. Thank you Madam Speaker, and I yield back my time.”
 
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