[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING KCRB'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague 
Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor a local public broadcaster, KRCB 
in Sonoma County, California. KRCB is celebrating 25 years of service 
to our local communities.
  Nancy Dobbs, President and CEO, has been the guiding force behind 
KRCB from the beginning. She notes that it is a rare opportunity to 
build such a public institution. ``When we started in January, 1981,'' 
she says, ``we had to argue for the license before the FCC, find land 
on which to build our offices and studios, raise money for a station 
that did not yet exist, and convince the community about the importance 
of our own public broadcasting service.''
  Fortunately for all of us, the effort was successful. Today, we 
cannot imagine what Sonoma County would be like without KRCB, which 
provides PBS television, NPR radio, and local programming. It is the 
only PBS service available to more than a quarter of a million 
residents.
  Working with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, KRCB 
has led community dialogues on health care, the environment, and 
disability awareness, to name just a few. The station has been awarded 
three Emmys for its national environmental series National Heroes, has 
been honored by the California Teachers' Association for its North Bay 
Report, and has received honors for local election coverage, provided 
consistently for the past 17 years. KRCB also provides air time to 
celebrate local cultural events, such as the full season of the 
acclaimed Santa Rosa Symphony, which would otherwise be unavailable.
  According to Dobbs, ``It was clear from the beginning that KRCB's 
mission was to utilize the public airwaves of which we are stewards to 
strengthen the communities we serve. Public broadcasting is a 
critically important tool with which to stimulate community dialogue 
and engagement, central elements of a healthy democracy.''
  Madam Speaker, we congratulate KRCB Television and Radio on its 25 
years of service. It is indeed a treasure of Northern California.

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