PBS President And CEO Paula Kerger Makes Passionate Appeal For Continued Funding At DOGE Hearing

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PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger shares her opening statement at the House DOGE Committee hearing.

Transcript

00:00Kerger for her opening statement

00:03Chair Taylor green congressman Lynch and members of the subcommittee

00:07My name is Paula Kerger, and I'm the president and CEO of PBS a role that I've held for 19 years

00:14It is my honor to be here on behalf of the three hundred and thirty six PBS stations

00:19Who said who serve every community in the United States?

00:23There's nothing more american than PBS as a membership organization our local service is at the heart of our work

00:30Our job at PBS is to support our stations so that local stations can serve their communities

00:36We've been proudly fulfilling our mission for nearly 60 years using the public airwaves and other technologies to help educate

00:43Engage and inspire the american people

00:46That mission is our guide star and remains just as important today as when the public broadcasting act was signed into law in

00:541967

00:55PBS stations provide something that cannot be found on commercial networks

00:59This is because PBS stations are focused on the needs and interests of the viewers. They serve

01:05Especially in rural areas PBS stations are the only outlet providing coverage of local events

01:11for example high school sports local history and culture content

01:15Candidate debates at every level of the election ballot and specialized agricultural news

01:20Local stations also partner with other community organizations to address issues of concern like veterans affairs and the opioid crisis

01:28Finally communities depend on the essential public safety information and emergency alerts our local stations provide

01:35Our programming comes from our local stations

01:38For example southern storytellers was produced by Arkansas PBS for our national audience

01:44This program highlighted southern culture through its literature music and film

01:48Across the country nearly four million people watch southern

01:52Storytellers helping americans learn about our shared history and what brings us together as a people and a nation

01:59Our stations pool resources to invest in programming that will benefit all americans ranging from history and science to art and music

02:07For example firing line with margaret hoover creates a forum for people with a wide range of views

02:12to respectfully share ideas

02:14While programs like independent lenses matter of mind my alzheimer's explores the challenges facing many american families

02:21And we celebrate what makes our country great

02:24A capital fourth in the national memorial day concert honor our nation's ideals

02:29Our service members and our veterans looking ahead. We will mark our nation's 250th birthday with the landmark initiative

02:37Headlined by a new major series from ken burns the american revolution

02:41Our educational programming for children is one of the most important aspects of our service to the american people

02:46I strongly believe that the programming we offer to prepare children for the future is the most essential work that we do

02:53Today more than half of all preschool age children are not enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs

02:59Our content has helped tens of millions of children prepare for success in school and in life with free programming

03:05That is available everywhere children are on air online and in the classroom

03:11Our educational programming is backed by scores of research studies showing that our programs like daniel tiger's neighborhood

03:17And super y help kids develop essential skills like reading math and problem solving

03:23We are proud that nearly nine out of ten families agree that pbs is the most trusted safe and educational media brand for children

03:31Because our programming is free and university available

03:34We are able to reach more low-income families than any other media company

03:38in fact

03:39Our viewers overall reflect the wide variety of communities. We serve our audience mirrors the overall u.s

03:46population with respect to education income and geography each month over

03:52160 million television and online viewers explore the world through our trusted content

03:57And more than three quarters of americans feel that pbs stations provide excellent value to their communities

04:03For over two decades the american public has consistently ranked public television as one of the best investments the government makes

04:10More than 70 percent of the cpb funds from congress go directly to our stations

04:15And for every dollar of that vital seed money local stations raise seven to support their work

04:21This is one of the best most successful examples of a public private partnership

04:26When I think about the need for our service, I think of a man I met during a visit to a local station in nebraska

04:33It was a rancher with young children. He drove hours to attend a local station event. He pulled me aside

04:38And told me this

04:40We need pbs

04:41We don't live near preschool. My children have learned to read watching pbs shows

04:46And the shows we watch on pbs are our connection to the rest of america

04:51That is why pbs and the 336 local stations in your communities do what we do

04:57pbs programming and the services that local stations provide

05:01Bring americans together. It is valued needed and trusted by the american people

05:06I appreciate the opportunity to be here today, and I look forward to your questions. Thank you. Ms. Kerger

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