Remarks by Commissioner James H. Quello
                           on the occasion of
             Broadcasting & Cable's 1995 Hall of Fame Dinner
                     New York, NY - November 6, 1995


     Heartfelt thanks for this most prestigious and memorable of what I humorously call
my pre-posthumous awards.  As a fugitive from the actuarial law of averages, I especially
appreciate receiving this distinctive honor while I'm here to enjoy it and enjoy your company.

     Recently, I have credited my awards with the distinction of my surviving to an
advanced age.  When you become a very senior "platinum age" citizen, you become venerable
-- With venerability, you are credited with virtues you never had -- and I'm grateful!

     It is customary at award time to graciously credit everyone who played a role in your
life, from office boy to board chairman to distant relatives.  In my case, I do have to credit
the FCC staff, particularly as a non-lawyer, my present and former legal assistants.  As I
mentioned during a previous award, all I am, ever was or hope to be, I owe to my legal
assistants and my loyal staff.

     But there is one all important relative who also merits some kind of special recognition
-- my wife, Mary.  We were married 58 years ago (to each other) -- back in the days when
you said "I do" rather than "I did."  The fact that I lasted that long is a rousing testimonial to
her sense of humor.

     Speaking of my wife, Mary, I have been lucky.  In all those years, she never filed a
petition to deny license renewal.  She admits she entertained murder several times but never
divorce because it was against her Irish Catholic upbringing.  She has been mainly responsible
for my maintaining a becoming sense of self unimportance.  She also tells everyone at
Washington government receptions that she was much happier being a broadcaster's wife than
a Commissioner's wife.  I had to remind her that I was much younger then.  She is also good
at letting me have --  her way.

     Nevertheless, I really believe in marriage.  If it weren't for marriage, many men would
go through life thinking they had no faults at all.  Besides, with Mary there is never a dull
moment and we just don't have time to grow old.  So I'm happy dear that you are here to
share this award with me.  (This ought to keep me around for another year or so.)

     In a little more serious vein, this award tonight has special significance because of my
longtime close relationship with the late Sol Taishoff, founder and publisher of Broadcasting
Magazine, the Bible of the industry.  He was my advisor, sounding board and rabbi Godfather
during my first ten years at the FCC when I really needed one.  I know he would be delighted
to see Broadcasting and Cable attain its preeminent position of today with Don West and
Peggy Conlon.

     So thanks again for adding such a meaningful award and memorable event to my
lifetime experiences -- I really am especially honored and pleased -- and I like to think that
Sol, my former rabbi Godfather, up there somewhere, is pleased too.