H*3195 Concurrent Resolution, By J. Young, G. Brown, J.H. Neal, G.M. Smith, 
Weeks and Harvin
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND COMMENDABLE
 COMMUNITY SERVICE OF RAY REICH WHO HAS OWNED AND OPERATED THREE RADIO STATIONS
 SERVING SUMTER, CLARENDON, AND LEE COUNTIES, AND WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE
 SALE OF HIS BROADCASTING BUSINESS AND TO WISH HIM GODSPEED IN HIS FUTURE
 ENDEAVORS.

   01/09/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-98
   01/10/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-52

TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND COMMENDABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE OF RAY REICH WHO HAS OWNED AND OPERATED THREE RADIO STATIONS SERVING SUMTER, CLARENDON, AND LEE COUNTIES, AND WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE SALE OF HIS BROADCASTING BUSINESS AND TO WISH HIM GODSPEED IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, Ray Reich and his wife Barbara have been involved in the broadcasting business for thirty-two years and in Sumter for the past twenty of those years. Mr. Reich owned a radio station in Steubenville, Ohio, and received a "too nice to turn down offer" which brought him south to a warmer climate and to a community that would benefit from his dedication to his profession; and

Whereas, in 1980, the Reichs bought WDXY-AM with a Top-40 format. Over the years he purchased WIBZ-FM and WKHT-FM. His stations meet the needs of all groups in the community from the audiences who enjoy news talk programming, to those who want easy listening music, oldies tunes, and adult urban music; and

Whereas, under his guidance, the stations have received many awards. Especially noteworthy was WIBZ's coverage during and after the events surrounding Hurricane Hugo in 1989. This remarkable coverage received recognition from Governor Carroll Campbell and President George Bush. WIBZ was the only station in the area to stay on the air during the hurricane's wrath. Calls came from as far away as Summerville and Florence and the station became the lifeline for area residents who passed along information about damage assessments and where people were seeking shelter. During high speed winds, Mr. Reich drove thirty minutes to the station's generator to flip the switch and ensure the station remained on the air, but his return trip to the station was a two hour drive under dangerous weather conditions; and

Whereas, Mr. Reich has entertained offers to purchase the stations often but never wanted to sell, especially to a large conglomerate. However, recently, Mr. Harold Miller, President of Miller Communications, Inc., station owner of multiple stations in the Florence-Myrtle Beach market, made an offer to purchase the stations; and

Whereas, knowing Mr. Miller's desire to get back into the mom-and-pop radio business again, Mr. Reich agreed to the sale and is happy knowing that what he worked so hard to establish would be continued and will still serve the communities of Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee counties. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly recognize the many accomplishments and commendable community service of Ray Reich who has owned and operated three radio stations serving Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee Counties and who recently announced the sale of his broadcasting business, and wish him Godspeed in his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Ray Reich.