Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 28, 2005)

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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