Fred Rogers before the US Senate

[Brooklyn]

I know this is a forum for all things Muppets but I would be remise if I didn't share this will all of you, as I'm sure you would appreciate it as much as I did. As Sophia Petrillo would say, "Picture this, 1969..." the US Senate had a hearing in that year about cutting the funding for Public Broadcasting. A man by the name of Fred Rogers opted to "have the floor" to plead the case for the importance of the $. A must see....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a41lJIhW7fA

 

[Phillip]

Yes, this is a wonderful clip. Fred Rogers changed public television for children everywhere due to his testimony.

 

[Winslow Leach]

I remember seeing an excerpt from this wonderful clip when Fred passed away. Thank you for finding it and sharing it with us, Brooklyn!

 

[anytimepally]

I have always loved this clip.. I actually have a copy of it I got off some PBS special years ago.. Mr. Rogers is just awesome here.. the way that Senator goes from being clearly opposed to being "can we get a copy of this?" .. get 'em!

 

[travellingpat]

Thats cool........ive never seen that before, he looks the same as he did 30 years later!

 

[peyjenk]

I miss him.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

He also testified against the movie industry' decision to ban video cassettes because they thought of them as a form of bootlegging and losing money. He argued how they could benefit children in the field of education (As is shown on his show with picture picture) and for parents and children who couldn't afford to go to the movies. He also used to use Beta tapes to go the the land of make believe as I believe it was called back then. (He had a telescope to do this also). The funny thing is is that now days video is where the movie industry make the majority of it's money.

I've seen it before, but I wish their was a clip of it somewhere also.

 

[Brooklyn]

if anyone else has it, please send it along.

 

[Winslow Leach]

He also testified against the movie industry' decision to ban video cassettes because they thought of them as a form of bootlegging and losing money. He argued how they could benefit children in the field of education (As is shown on his show with picture picture) and for parents and children who couldn't afford to go to the movies. He also used to use Beta tapes to go the the land of make believe as I believe it was called back then. (He had a telescope to do this also). The funny thing is is that now days video is where the movie industry make the majority of it's money.

I've seen it before, but I wish their was a clip of it somewhere also.

Wow, I didn't know this before! How cool!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

I know what you mean! I still watch it when ever I can, too!