[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SALUTING PUBLIC BROADCASTING EXCELLENCE

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was a privilege for me to 
recently address the Association of America's Public Television 
Stations' [APTS] annual meeting of member stations to discuss my 
proposal to privatize funding for public broadcasting. I am among those 
working to reduce Federal spending, without sacrificing the high 
quality of television programming available to all Americans from the 
Public Broadcasting System.
  Public broadcasters have for many years provided Americans--
particularly young Americans--with programming of exceptional 
educational value. My own 6-year-old daughter enjoys watching ``Barney 
and Friends,'' ``Sesame Street,'' and other children's shows produced 
by public broadcasters. And as a student of the Civil War, I believe 
that ``The Civil War'' may have been the finest television series ever 
aired on public, or commercial, television.
  During the APTS annual meeting, two public broadcasters in Texas were 
recognized for excellence in their fields. Rodney Zent of KAMU-TV in 
College Station was named one of seven ``Visionary Public 
Broadcasters'' and was presented with the 21st Century Award for his 
outstanding contributions to the public television system. And Leon 
Collins of KUHT-TV in Houston was one of eight recipients nationwide to 
receive the Grassroots Advocacy Award, presented to those individuals 
and public broadcasting stations who work to garner support for public 
television in their communities.
  I salute Mr. Zent and Mr. Collins for their past efforts to enhance 
the future of pubic television.
  Mr. Zent has spearheaded Texas A&M University's efforts to impose its 
distance learning program. On April 3, KAMU, in partnership with GTE, 
will unveil the Center for Distance Learning Research, which will offer 
training in distance learning and cutting-edge telecommunications 
technology. Last year, KAMU coordinated 3,400 videoconferences on its 
TRANS-TEX Videoconferencing Network, which provides real-time, two-way 
video, data and Internet services to 44 locations throughout Texas.
  Mr. Collins at KUHT has enlisted his staff, the University of 
Houston, and supportive volunteers on behalf of public television. Due 
to his efforts, the University of Houston's newsletter now features a 
column containing legislative news from Capitol Hill, and the station's 
legislative needs are a high priority on the university's agenda. It is 
precisely this type of local, community support, that will be key to 
public broadcasting's future, and I salute him for his efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the House Telecommunications and 
Finance Subcommittee, I want to reiterate my support for public 
broadcasting--and reiterate my desire that future generations of 
Americans benefit from the fine, educational programming it makes 
available to all our citizens.
  Individual efforts by persons like Rodney Zent and Leon Collins--
together with enhanced local support for outstanding public 
broadcasters like KAMU and KUHT--will ensure that this valuable public 
resource will remain with us for many years to come.

                          ____________________