[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF KCTS

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I am pleased today to commemorate the 
40th anniversary of KCTS, Community Television Service--channel 9, 
which serves the people of the greater Puget Sound region in the State 
of Washington. As television is increasingly blamed for the ills of our 
society, KCTS has consistently set an example for programing which is 
intelligent, entertaining, and socially responsible.
  Examples of the many fine programs produced by KCTS abound, but let 
me take this opportunity to highlight just a few:
  First and foremost, in the interest of educating as well as 
entertaining our children, KCTS not only carries PBS staples such as 
``Sesame Street'' and ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,'' but also 
broadcasts popular new programs like ``Bill Nye the Science Guy'' and 
``Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?'' But KCTS goes one step 
beyond simply putting its shows on the air; the station also provides 
training and curriculum projects for caregivers and teachers, so that 
they can build upon the lessons taught on the television programs, at 
home and in the classroom. KCTS has a firm grasp on the value of 
television, as well as the importance of activities away from it. The 
``Know-It-All-Club,'' for example, suggests fun, educational activities 
for kids who are home all day during school vacations, and actually 
encourages them to turn the TV off to go try them out.
  For adults, KCTS programing is no less stimulating or useful. 
Examples include valuable series such as ``Healing and the Mind,'' 
``Menopause: Living the Change,'' and ``The Breast Care Test.'' Just as 
important as the specials themselves, however, were KCTS's extra 
efforts to make sure that its audiences were provided with additional 
information, so that they could directly benefit from each program. In 
this way, KCTS was able to facilitate participation in valuable breast 
cancer research being conducted at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research 
Center, in conjunction with the broadcast of ``The Breast Care Test.'' 
It is this sort of effort which distinguishes KCTS as a responsive, 
integral member of the Puget Sound area community.
  The station and its employees have also proven to be dedicated public 
servants, whose work merits both thanks and recognition. From staff 
volunteer projects at a neighboring elementary school, to the Golden 
Apple Awards it sponsors for local teachers who set admirable examples 
for our children, to the production of the award-winning, nationally 
broadcast ``Over'' series, KCTS is genuinely involved in our community.
  Earlier this year, when it appeared that Federal funding for public 
television may have been significantly reduced, that grateful community 
rallied to support its local station. My office alone received hundreds 
of letters expressing overwhelming support for KCTS. In the words of 
its viewers:

       We are supporters of our local KCTS/9 in Seattle and find 
     we view that more than all the others combined. Someone once 
     said, ``You are what you eat.'' I feel that applies also to 
     our minds and hearts. A higher proportion of wholesome fare 
     is made available on the public radio and television 
     stations.--Belfair, WA
       PBS offers innovative, creative, thoughtful programing not 
     available on commercial TV. While the programing is at times 
     admittedly provocative and controversial, it offers the 
     intelligent viewer an opportunity to confront issues in a 
     meaningful way, and to continue to learn about the modern 
     world in which we live. There is simply no other TV 
     programing which does this as well.--Bainbridge Island, WA
       Public broadcasting should be funded at its current level 
     or (better yet) more. I feel this is so important that I am 
     writing this letter to you at 1 a.m. even though I am way 
     behind on paperwork.--Issaquah, WA
       I am writing to express our family's view that Congress 
     should continue to support funding for public television and 
     radio as an important national resource. Our children were 
     helped in their early years by such programs as ``Sesame 
     Street,'' ``The Electric Company,'' and ``Mister Rogers.'' My 
     son, a biologist who is a graduate of the Evergreen State 
     College, was encouraged in part by the excellent nature 
     programs we had watched on KCTS-9 over the years.--Federal 
     Way, WA
  KCTS has long been a part of the lives of families who live in the 
Puget Sound area. I and my family certainly benefited from the fine 
programing which KCTS provides every year, and the tradition has 
continued for each generation. Even the youngest members of my staff, 
my interns, expressed a touch of nostalgia for their KCTS childhoods. 
Their contribution to this commemoration should bring back memories for 
everyone:


                        ode to our pbs childhood

     This poem is brought to you by the number three,
     As well as the letters A through Z.
     We'll always remember Mr. Rogers' King and Queen,
     And How Snuffleupagus couldn't be seen.

     Zoom was always the ``coolest'' show,
     And it taught us things every kid should know.
     Rubber Duckie, you were the one,
     Watching Ernie and Bert was so much fun.

     While Zoomers and the Electric Co. gang can never be 
           replaced,
     Bill Nye the Science Guy does a great job in their space.
     It's a pity that some of those shows are now gone,
     But, like them, we too have moved on.

     Now we watch the Frugal Gourmet,
     and the Joy of Painting on Saturdays.
     For public TV, you're always the best,
     So we'll keep on watching KCTS.

  My staff and I would like to thank KCTS for enriching our lives, and 
for all of the wonderful memories that it has provided for us and for 
our families. We congratulate them for 40 years of service to our 
community, and look forward to the next 40 with great anticipation.

                          ____________________