[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVES THE PEOPLE

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM BEVILL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 1995
  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I favor reducing the Federal Government and 
I know that many popular Federal programs have been cut and will be cut 
more to achieve this worthy purpose.
  But, I am very concerned that we could go too far. Some people say we 
should kill all Federal funding for public broadcasting. I think this 
is going too far.
  Public television and radio stations have provided essential services 
to our Nation for many, many years. Many rural areas depend on public 
broadcasting to get the news and indepth reporting on national and 
world issues.
  The children's programming is highly educational, emphasizes strong 
family values and has the additional benefit of being commercial-free. 
I know parents and children appreciate that.
  Public broadcasting serves as the benchmark for good taste and 
quality programming throughout the broadcasting world. I urge my 
colleagues not to throw this all away under the guise of deficit 
reduction.
  I want to reduce the role of government in our lives and I want to 
balance the budget. I agree that these are goals that cannot be met 
without making hard budget choices.
  But, I believe it would be a false savings to eliminate all Federal 
funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, especially when 
this funding helps generate millions in private donations.
  The private sector, which already contributes generously, certainly 
cannot be expected to do more.
  I urge my colleagues to use some common sense in making our choices 
for cuts. Let's be careful we don't go overboard and kill programs 
which represent the best that America has to offer.


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