Testimony of Gay Hart Gaines Before Congress

Testimony presented to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for nomination to the Board of Directors Corporation for Public Broadcasting

November 18, 2004

Mr. Chairman and members of the Commerce Committee, thank you very much for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss my nomination to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I would also like to express my gratitude to President Bush for nominating me to the board, and for giving me this opportunity to serve the public.

I come to the board of CPB as someone who has lived all over the world growing up, and who has lived all over the United States since marrying my husband Stanley in 1959. Wherever I have lived, I have been involved in civic and cultural endeavors that reflect my deep interest in education, American history, civic life, and the arts. Through these efforts, I have gained a broad perspective on the interests and needs of people across our great country.

I know first-hand that the residents of big cities in which I’ve lived, like Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, live differently than people in towns like Hebron, Ohio or Leadville, Colorado. Certainly, the remotest areas of Senator McCain’s Arizona or Senator Stevens’ Alaska present challenges many of us can hardly imagine, where public broadcasting is the only link to news, information and excellent children’s and cultural programming. Public broadcasting offers tremendous service at the community level, responding to local differences and meeting local needs. Having attended this year’s five board meetings, I can assure you that CPB board values and respects this diversity.

Throughout the United States, public broadcasting is free of charge and devoid of commercial interruptions. This has been personally important to me, particularly with regard to children’s programming. My four children watched Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street; now my eight (and soon to be nine!) grandchildren are safely watching many of the same shows as well. But I, as well as so many of us, have been entertained and inspired over the years by programs like Masterpiece Theater, NOVA and NewsHour.

If I am confirmed to the board of CPB, my goal would be to strengthen and support public broadcasting at every level. My commitment to diversity and values would be the same as my commitment to George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, where I was recently elected Regent.

One of our most important goals at Mount Vernon is to teach the nearly 1 million annual visitors about the life and character of our first great president. In fact, as the Florida representative on the board, I raised the necessary funds that will allow 12 Florida teachers to come to Mount Vernon for one week each summer in perpetuity to study Washington’s life. I also partnered with the Palm Beach Post to pay for a Florida history lesson to be distributed to all 4th grade students in Palm Beach County.

I believe that knowing and understanding our own history is one of the most important ways we have to transmit American values. I am passionately interested in education and have been for a long time. Education is the tool that opens minds and opportunities to all Americans. If I am confirmed, I will be totally committed to public broadcasting’s role of providing excellence in learning not only for children but for Americans of every age.

Although we live in dangerous times, Americans have the freedom to be risk-taking, creative and bold. CPB can promote innovation, and creativity, while always remembering that public broadcasting belongs to the American people.

I would consider it an honor to serve on this distinguished board and to have the opportunity to bring a wide range of ideas to public broadcasting.

Thank you, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.