[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 143 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CPB'S AMERICAN GRADUATE INITIATIVE

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2015

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, our public media stations are a force 
for positive change in communities all across this country.
  The best example of this is the American Graduate initiative.
  This initiative, made possible by the Corporation for Public 
Broadcasting which leverages public media to address America's high 
school dropout crisis;
  And set an ambitious goal of seeing a 90 percent high school 
graduation rate by 2020.
  This Saturday, October 3rd marks the fourth annual American Graduate 
Day, a live public media event broadcast on public media stations 
across the country.
  And make no mistake--it is a crisis.
  Each year, over one million students drop out of our high schools.
  In turning the tide, the American Graduate initiative has been, and 
continues to be, a proven force for change.
  Local stations extend the reach of this national broadcast content 
and have produced almost 1,000 hours of locally-focused programming.
  Find a moment to tune in and see for yourself the incredible work 
happening in your community thanks to public media.

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