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| REP. ANNA ESHOO | |
 July 20, 1999 
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The opening statement of Rep. Anna Eschoo (D-CA) before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Production.
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Thank you Mr. Chairman. I'm very disappointed that we have to be here today discussing the sharing of donor lists by PBS stations with political organizations. While I still believe the funding we will provide for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting represents one of the very best investments Congress can make, this episode has left me angry and let down. I understand that the affiliates involved have begun to implement internal procedures to end this, and Mr. Chairman, in light of the current situation, these internal policies may not be enough. There is no excuse for the mistakes these stations have made, and I will support language included in the Public Broadcasting Authorization bill that makes clear that the practice of sharing or selling donor lists with political organizations is prohibited. It is my hope though, that my colleagues do not use this episode as a return to four years ago, when the GOP put the entirety of public broadcasting squarely on the chopping block. We will hear today our second panel witnesses testify that the federal government has no business in funding public broadcasting. Fortunately, we will also hear testimony from famous filmmaker Ken Burns, whose films have added so much to the understanding of American history. Mr. Burns points out in his testimony that were it not for the grant he received from the CPB, his brilliant series on the Civil War would have never been made. I'm certain that all of us can think of many examples of similar excellent programming public broadcasting has produced. More importantly, most of us are also aware of how important shows like Sesame Street have been for our children in providing a firm foundation for learning the ABC's and our numbers. These examples are the rules for public broadcasting, not the exceptions. It is my great hope the mistakes made by a number of stations do not poison the well because if Congress punishes the stations they will be punishing the American people. Thank you Mr. Chairman and I yield back my time. |
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