[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WSRE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 23, 2017

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the fiftieth 
anniversary of WSRE. WSRE-TV is viewer supported Public Broadcasting 
Station for the Gulf Coast. On September II, 1967, WSRE began its over-
the-air broadcast television station on UHF Channel l23 and today 
broadcasts four digital channels.
  WSRE was an early pioneer producing national, quality programing 
beginning with Earl Peyroux's Gourmet Cooking to its most recent 
documentary They Were Our Fathers.
  WSRE is licensed to the District Board of Trustees of Pensacola State 
College. Its 43,000 square foot facility includes three studios that 
are used to produce local programming. The facility houses a full-time 
staff, as well as volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of 
service on a regular basis.
  The mission of WSRE is to open doors to a larger world with quality 
programming and educational outreach services for every person on the 
Gulf Coast who desires to be more educated, informed and entertained. 
WSRE helps people make informed decisions with a better understanding 
of the community and world in which they live. As a community-
supported, outreach service of Pensacola State College, WSRE brings 
forth culture and ideas that enhance the quality of life and promote 
the joy of discovery and learning.
  The vision of WSRE is to positively influence the daily lives of all 
on the Gulf Coast through broadcast programming and educational 
outreach services that encourage us to engage more deeply in the world 
around us.
  WSRE has always and continues to demonstrate an exceptional 
dedication to education and learning.
  From the very start, WSRE has partnered with local school districts 
to provide educational resources that enhance learning in the 
classroom. Through community partnerships WSRE enriches the efforts of 
Pensacola in becoming ``America's First Early Learning City'' and 
launched the 24/7 WSRE PBS KIDS channel and mobile app. By utilizing 
the latest digital technology, the Imagination Station at Wahoo 
Stadium, provides exposure for thousands of children and guardians each 
year to the resources and value of early learning.
  Television reaches a large number of persons from all walks of life 
and WSRE keeps the community connected through its various local and 
national programs. WSRE's commitment to the surrounding communities has 
proven to be deeply valuable and has endured throughout the decades.
  By operating as a public television station, WSRE also encourages an 
informed electorate by producing RALLY candidate forums and Legislative 
Review to connect the community with lawmakers since the 1970s while 
also broadcasting The Florida Channel.
  I would like to extend my gratitude to all who have served in any 
capacity with WSRE throughout its 50 years. WSRE has been and will 
continue to be a steadfast and invaluable contributor to the 
enhancement and growth of our community and to all who have benefited 
from its services.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to congratulate WSRE on 50 years of providing quality programming and 
educational outreach services to Northwest Florida.

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