88R27547 BPG-D
 
  By: Smithee H.R. No. 1492
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Radio station KPAN in Hereford is celebrating its
  75th anniversary in 2023; and
         WHEREAS, In 1948, KPAN was established by John Blake and
  former state senator Marshall Formby; Mr. Formby's nephew, Clint
  Formby, helped with the construction of the station, and when it
  debuted on August 4, he was the first announcer to speak over its AM
  frequency; two years later, Marshall Formby bought out his partner;
  his nephew came on board as a partner in 1956 and eventually
  purchased the station; and
         WHEREAS, Clint Formby became a Texas radio legend and
  Panhandle icon; a leader in the industry at the state and national
  level, he also hosted what is considered the longest-running radio
  broadcast by an individual; for over 55 years, he discussed a
  "predictably unpredictable" variety of topics on the Day By Day
  Philosopher program, and he offered listeners an array of
  admonitions, including advice to tip their servers generously and
  kiss their loved ones good night; and
         WHEREAS, Since its inception, KPAN has played country music
  and reported the local news; in the 1960s, it added an FM signal and
  launched a Spanish-language music and news segment; it has been a
  boon to sports fans, covering Hereford High School athletics with
  live play-by-play and relaying broadcasts of Texas Tech University
  football and basketball and Dallas Cowboys games; over the years,
  the station has received numerous awards from the Texas Association
  of Broadcasters, and it was twice named Outstanding Radio Station;
  and
         WHEREAS, Clint Formby's son Chip joined the station as news
  director and engineer in 1978 and eventually became general manager
  and owner; Chip Formby's sons, Jonathan and Lane, worked at the
  station during their high school and college years; following Chip
  Formby's untimely death, Lane Formby moved back home to carry on the
  family legacy, and he has served as general manager since February
  2021, working with his mother, Lisa Formby, who is now the majority
  partner along with her two sons; and
         WHEREAS, While consolidation and automation have left few
  stations still serving their communities with live, local
  broadcasting, KPAN continues to embody the spirit of founder
  Marshall Formby's humorous slogan, "The only radio station in the
  world that gives a hoot about Hereford, Texas," and area residents
  are fortunate to have access to this venerable source of
  entertainment, information, and enlightenment; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate KPAN on its 75th anniversary and
  extend to all those associated with the station sincere best wishes
  for continued success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the station as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.