[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3010) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express the 
overwhelming support that hundreds of my constituents have demonstrated 
for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I share their concern 
about the partisan attacks to eliminate funding and undermine the 
Corporation's commitment to providing objective and educational 
programming.
  As a member of the Congressional Public Broadcasting Caucus, I have 
learned how critical Federal funding is for CPB in order to ensure the 
continued availability of educational, innovative, objective, and 
locally-relevant programming provided by public radio and television 
stations across the country. This Republican appropriations bill 
proposes to strip 51 percent of CPB's total Federal funding--a cut so 
drastic it will negatively impact every public television and radio 
station's ability to provide the free and unbiased programs that 
millions of Americans count on every day. Currently, Federal funding 
for CPB totals just $1.50 per American per year. In addition, this 
Federal funding successfully leverages more than five additional 
dollars from private sources. For these reasons, I am pleased to 
support Mr. Obey's amendment to restore $100 million to CPB.
  Public broadcasting is an essential source of information for 
millions of Americans. America's educators depend on public 
broadcasting--it's their top choice for classroom video, and a leading 
source of online lesson plans. Nationwide surveys find that public 
broadcasting is the single most trusted national institution. And, 
public broadcasting is exceptional because it's local. Unlike the large 
media conglomerates that dominate commercial TV, the 348 PBS stations 
across the country are locally owned and operated--accountable to the 
local communities they serve.
  In my home State of Minnesota, we are proud of the high quality 
public broadcasting our State has known for years. Minnesota Public 
Radio and Twin Cities Public Television are treasures that provide 
balanced news, insightful information, and exceptional entertainment 
over the public airwaves. They deserve our support and the support of 
the Federal Government. Nearly 900 constituents have e-mailed, phoned, 
and written to my office regarding their support for public 
broadcasting.
  It is with a commitment to ensuring that my constituents continue to 
have access to high quality, unbiased information, as well as 
thoughtful and educational programming, that I rise today in support of 
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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