[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2392-E2393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2264, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN 
 SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Conference Report on H.R. 2264, the Labor Health and Human Services, 
and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 1998, and want to 
take this time to specifically express my support for the funding for 
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  The conference report includes $300 million in advance funding for 
fiscal year 2000 for the Corporation, which is a $50 million increase 
over the fiscal year 1999 level. I hope that these additional funds 
will make it possible to fund the Principles of Partnership Initiative, 
a $5 million effort set forth by the Corporation in 1994 to increase 
the amount of multicultural programming on public television. This 
initiative is to be accomplished through the establishment of formal 
partnerships among the organizations of the National Minority Public 
Broadcasting Consortia, television stations, and other public 
broadcasting organizations.
  The House Committee Report specifically supported this initiative and 
called upon the Corporation to maximize resources for this initiative.
  The National Minority Public Broadcasting Consortia organizations 
include Pacific Islanders in Communications, National Black Programming 
Consortium, National Latino Communications Center, National Asian 
American Telecommunications Association, and Native American Public 
Telecommunications. They have contributed hundreds of hours of 
programming addressing the cultural, social and economic issues of our 
country's racial and ethnic communities. These important programs help 
us explore who we are and learn more about the rich diversity of 
cultures and experiences that define our country.
  I am proud to note that the newest member of the Consortium is 
Pacific Islanders in Communications which is headquartered in Hawaii. 
This group has already promoted several award winning public broadcast 
productions including ``Storytellers of the Pacific'' which was co-
produced with Native American Public Telecommunications.
  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope this increase in funding will allow the 
Corporation to fully implement the goals of the Principles of 
Partnership Initiative in Fiscal Year 2000 and that the Corporation 
will work dedicate resources now to begin this unique partnership 
project to recognize and highlight the contributions of our diverse 
ethnic populations.

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