[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E789-E790] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IN RECOGNITION OF KATM KAT COUNTRY 103 ______ HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize KATM Kat Country 103, a country music radio station located in the 18th Congressional District of California. The station recently won two national awards in the country music industry. It was honored as the 2011 Station of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards as well as at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards. Both accolades are highly prestigious and speak volumes of Kat Country's performance. Debuting on the air on April 4, 1992, Kat Country 103 has been providing country music to the Valley for over fifteen years. Kat Country 103 serves listeners from Sacramento to Merced and from the Foothills to the Bay Area. Under the slogan ``Continuous Country Favorites and Fun,'' it provides listeners with radio music, host concerts and events for fans, and participates in many charitable events as well. Kat Country is owned by Cumulus Media and is under the direction of Nikki Thomas, Program Manager. [[Page E790]] Kat Country 103 received the news of its nomination for the Country Music Association's award through a telephone call from country sensation Taylor Swift. Kat Country 103 was the first to interview Swift when she broke into the country music business. Beyond providing music to its listeners, Kat Country 103 also strives to give back to the community and to those in need. Every year, it works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation by holding a telethon to raise money for the organization. It's hosted several charity concerts to support St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Hospital and even collected donations of thirty-six million pennies for the hospital. In addition, every year at Christmastime it participates in the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation drive, collecting toys and gifts for disadvantaged children in the community. The station also supports the Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, and countless other organizations. It also recognizes and thanks its dedicated listeners by throwing an annual Listener Appreciation Concert. To show its sincere appreciation of support, the station invites nearly 20,000 listeners to attend an all-day concert, absolutely free. It has had such performers as Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and countless others. This year it will welcome Montgomery Gentry as their opening act. Please join me in congratulating Kat Country 103 and its staff on the recognition of their Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards. They are a very deserving country music radio station and I am proud to have served them in the 18th California Congressional District. ____________________