Louise Slaughter: “Public broadcasting gives the American people, both young and old, exceptional programming not available on commercial…”

“Public broadcasting gives the American people, both young and old, exceptional programming not available on commercial television, such as the award-winning ``Civil War'' series, the ``Jim Lehrer NewsHour,'' ``Masterpiece Theater,'' and PBS' unique children's educational programming. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB] is an asset to children and families throughout the nation and is worthy of its funding. According to a Roper Starch Worldwide, Inc. poll from July, 1997, the American public rates public radio as the second best value in return for tax dollars spent out of 20 services. The quality and variety of educational, informational, and cultural programming found on public broadcast stations cannot be found anywhere else on radio or television. Public broadcast stations are among a limited selection of stations that cater to a large number of locally originated programs. In addition, public broadcast stations in rural and underserved urban areas greatly depend on Federal funds for their economic base. CPB provides services that reach out to people of all backgrounds and ages throughout the country. For example, many public radio stations provide radio reading services for the blind. In my own district of Rochester, NY the local public broadcasting station, WXXI, helps prepare young children to learn when they enter school and provides numerous college telecourses for adult education.”