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