This past weekend, I took a trip down memory lane and visited an old neighbor whom I remember with tender nostalgia – Mr. Rogers. Many of you shared your childhood with Mr. Rogers and his puppet gang. He taught us about friendship, feelings, and community. In 1969, Mr. Rogers testified before the Senate on the importance of securing federal funding for the newly formed Corporation for Public Broadcasting. President Richard Nixon wanted the federal funds set aside for public broadcasting by former President Lyndon Johnson cut in half. Mr. Rogers spoke with such eloquence about his television program and the role of mental health in supporting child development that he singlehandedly swayed the hearing’s chairman, Senator John Pastore, to commit the full $20 million dollars to PBS. I can’t help but think of the parallels with our current political climate and the social services that are at risk of losing federal funding. I wonder if Congress would be moved by such testimony today.
Blog post written by:
Robyn Ganeles, Assistant Director of Clinical Intervention Services
Robyn Ganeles, Assistant Director of Clinical Intervention Services
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