[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E242-E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other 
     departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, Congressional Republicans often assert that 
their aggressive budget cutting is in line with the desires of the 
American people. The cuts Republicans propose for the remainder of 
Fiscal Year 2011 include eliminating support for homeless veterans, 
cutting nearly a billion dollars from programs for law enforcement and 
first responders, and gutting environmental protections that keep our 
air, water and food safe. As House Republicans continue their march to 
weaken our communities, kill jobs, and make our most vulnerable 
citizens bear the burden for tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens, 
there is another target for cutting--the Corporation for Public 
Broadcasting, CPB.
  In this bill, House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) is 
working to eradicate all funding for CPB and eliminate federal support 
for public media. This attack on unbiased reporting, cultural 
programming, and educational television and radio would have dire 
consequences in my home State for Minnesota Public Radio and Twin 
Cities Public Television, not to mention the Minnesota taxpayers who 
rely on public broadcasting every day.
  CPB's funding is directed to local public broadcasting stations, 
which provide commercial-free, high-quality programming to millions of 
Americans every day. Public broadcasting outlets target underserved 
audiences, children, minorities, and low-income Americans with non-
biased news and cultural programming.
  Public broadcasting is one of the most valuable community assets, and 
it is a prime example of the numerous benefits that come from 
investment from the federal government. Every month, over half of all 
Americans utilize public broadcasting--170 million people--through 368 
public television stations, 943 radio stations, and hundreds of online 
services. Federal funding for CPB costs $1.35 per American ever year, 
while the rest of the funding comes from private donations. Public 
broadcasting is a vital educational resource for teachers, parents, and 
children.
  In addition to providing a valuable community good, a majority of 
Americans value public media and advocate that the federal government 
continue its support. Last year, Americans rated public broadcasting as 
an ``excellent'' use of taxpayer dollars, coming in second to defense 
spending. Eighty percent of those who were surveyed believe that 
funding for public broadcasting is money ``well spent.''
  A vote in support of CPB funding is a vote for the American people. 
Public broadcasting is what our citizens want, and Chairman Rogers and 
the rest of the Republicans should listen.
  Members from the Fourth District have contacted me to speak out in 
support of public broadcasting and against this egregious attack.
  A St. Paul student, age 14, just called me today to tell me that she 
is the voice of the future and very supportive of the Corporation for 
Public Broadcasting.
  A resident from St. Paul told me, ``Thank you for standing up for 
public broadcasting. You are right when you say the Tea Party would 
like nothing better than to eliminate the one place where we go to find 
balanced reporting. I am a sustaining member of both public television 
and radio and find it to be a source of hope in this media-fallow 
country.''
  A college student in St. Paul wrote me to say, ``I am deeply 
concerned about proposed legislation in the House that would eliminate 
federal funding for PBS and NPR. It is vital to our country and our 
public discourse that we have some forms of independent journalism that 
are unbiased and free from corporate interests. Not only does public 
media provide a trusted news and entertainment source for adults around 
the Nation, but the educational children's programming helps get 
youngsters from all backgrounds off to a good start. I grew up watching 
Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, and Nova on what was then Channel 2 (now 
TPT). Now, as a college student at the University of Minnesota-Morris, 
I still depend on PBS and NPR every day. I fear that cuts to federal 
funding for public media will have an especially adverse effect on 
smaller and rural stations, like Pioneer Public TV, which are more 
dependent on federal money. It pains me to imagine a time when public 
media isn't available to future generations of Americans as a source of 
nonpartisan information available to all.''
  Another St. Paul resident said, ``I am a current supporter of the MN 
TPT, and would hate to see this wonderful service eliminated because 
someone in Congress thinks it is unnecessary. Many people can't afford 
cable or satellite television--I can only afford the lowest basic 
service--and the programming on TPT is educational, entertaining and 
innovative. Please fight to keep the funding! Thank you!''
  As you can see, residents of the 4th District of Minnesota are strong 
supporters of this essential service. Federal support for CPB keeps

[[Page E243]]

our citizens informed, educates our children, and makes our communities 
stronger. I will fight against these ``dumb-cuts'' because Minnesota 
Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television are critical community 
assets that deserve federal support.
  Given Republicans' frantic attempts to slash federal spending in even 
the most detrimental ways, eliminating CPB is a very real possibility. 
In my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I will do 
everything in my power to prevent public broadcasting stations 
nationwide from being forced to shut their doors, but I cannot do it 
alone. I urge my colleagues to protect this valuable public good and 
vote against H.R. 1.

                          ____________________