[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 40 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                STOP THE ASSAULT ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 3, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, the Republican assault on public broadcasting 
represents outrageous overkill by the elite oppressive group that 
presently holds power in Congress. The benefits of public broadcasting 
far outweigh the costs. Probably nowhere else in the budget do we 
achieve a better cost-benefits ratio. American taxpayers definitely get 
their money's worth from its investment in quality programs on a vast 
array of topics, subjects, and issues. Like any complex institution 
public broadcasting can certainly be improved. It must end the trend 
toward more advertising. There is a need to stop catering to 
established commentators who have already become well known through 
commercial media. Instead of repeating the same voices and faces, 
public broadcasting should give us new ones. Certain producers should 
be told ``5 years and you're off'' in order to make way for younger 
talent. The exception to this rule, however, must prevail in the area 
of children's programming. Some excellent programs for this group will 
never be picked up by commercial media. We must protect the rights of 
future children to enjoy Big Bird and Barney. Let us save money 
somewhere else in the budget, starting with bank bailouts, Mexican 
bailouts, and welfare for rich farmers. Taxpaying parents are ready to 
revolt if the Washington budget axe fails on Big Bird and Barney.
                      Protect Big Bird and Barney

     Big Bird and Barney
     Must Go
     To help hungry bankers
     In Mexico
     Leadership plays its role
     Guiding big bankers
     To the dole
     Twenty billion plus
     Won't make jobs for us
     Please children don't cry
     Democracy didn't yet die
     Brave knights are riding
     Budget axe monsters
     Can't keep hiding
     Big Bird and Barney
     Must go
     To help hungry bankers
     In Mexico
     But babies don't cry
     Our voting parents
     Will counterattack
     To win
     Big Bird and Barney back.
     

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