In 1969, the U.S. Senate was considering cutting funding for public broadcasting from 20 million dollars to 10 million. Fred Rogers, the quiet host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was asked to speak to a Senate subcommittee. The chairman was Senator John Pastore of Rhode Island.
No tricks, just honesty
Fred did not come with charts or a big speech. He spoke gently about why children need programming that helps them with their feelings. He talked about what a young person needs to hear from the adults around them.
His testimony is now considered one of the most powerful ever given in Congress. It brought Senator Pastore to tears.
The result
Funding for public broadcasting went on to rise from 9 million dollars to 22 million. Fred later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2002. He died in 2003 at age 74, at home with his wife Joanne.
What stays with me
He did not get loud. He did not attack anyone. He just told the truth with love, and a hard room opened up.
Kindness is not weak. It can do things force cannot. Speak gently, mean it, and let the room listen.
Source: read more about the facts here.
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Fred Rogers testified on May 1, 1969, before a Senate subcommittee led by Senator John Pastore. The hearing was about funding for public broadcasting. The Nixon administration had sought to cut that funding from 20 million dollars to 10 million. Mr. Rogers did not bring charts. He spoke plainly about children and what is delivered to them. He said he was very concerned, as he knew the senators were, about what was being delivered to our children in this country.
What he said and what followed
Mr. Rogers described his work this way: “I give an expression of care every day to each child, to help him realize that he is unique.” Senator Pastore, who had a reputation as a tough man, told him, “This is the first time I’ve had goose bumps for the last two days.” The funding of 20 million dollars was kept. A calm voice and a few honest minutes made the difference.
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