Public Television Stations Recognize Leaders in Advocacy on Behalf of Public Broadcasting

John Lawson, president and CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS), recently honored six individuals for their exemplary work in helping lead America’s public television stations legislative agenda.

National Advocacy Awards were presented to: Bill Kelly of WVIA (Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA), Barry Baker of Quality Public Broadcasting (University Center, MI), Allan Pizzato of Alabama Public Television (Birmingham, AL), Dick Lobo of WEDU (Tampa, FL), Ralph Kaiser of WQED (Pittsburgh, PA), and Chet Tomczyk of WTVP (Peoria, IL).

According to John Lawson, President & CEO of APTS: “The 2006 National Advocacy Awards highlight the extraordinary efforts and tangible achievements of these six individuals in advancing public television’s legislative goals.”

Last year, House Appropriators set off a firestorm by proposing to slash federal funding for local public television and radio stations. In June, 284 Members of the House – including 87 Republicans – voted to restore full funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The six individuals were honored with the National Advocacy Award in recognition of their leadership in legislative effort to restore this critical funding.

Lawson continued: “While we could have given out a hundred of these awards, these six leaders went above and beyond the call of duty to secure our victory on the House floor.”

Lawson, in presenting the award to Bill Kelly of WVIA, said: “After several very frank conversations with Bill, and a flood of calls from the district, Representative Don Sherwood supported the Obey-Lowey-Leach amendment. Probably the single most important factor in Bill’s advocacy efforts is that he never takes no for an answer.”

In presenting the award to Barry Baker of Quality Public Broadcasting, Lawson said: “Barry can be characterized as an advocacy ‘journeyman’. He is a faithful Capitol Hill Day attendee, and always responds promptly to APTS action alerts. This past June he went the extra mile—both literally and figuratively—when he got on a plane and came to Washington, DC prior to the crucial vote on the Obey-Lowey-Leach Amendment to restore our funding in the House. He even joined the APTS staff back at headquarters to watch the roll call with us.”

In presenting the award to Allan Pizzato of Alabama Public Television, Lawson said: When funding for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, or PTFP, was in jeopardy, Allan helped secure a strong advocate in the House and Senate to preserve that funding. He made the case for what PTFP means to a rural state like Alabama, and the burden that the digital conversion was placing on stations.”

In presenting the award to Dick Lobo of WEDU, Lawson said: “Dick has been tenacious in correcting misperceptions about public broadcasting. His hard work has paid off to the benefit of our system. Public broadcasting owes a debt of gratitude to Dick Lobo for taking on one of the toughest assignments in advocacy, and performing extremely well.”

Ralph Kaiser of WQED, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, was recognized for leading WQED in the generation of the most letters in support of public television during the APTS No Member Left Behind campaign.In presenting the award to Kaiser, Lawson said: “Having faced difficult votes and vocal constituents up close and personal, Ralph Kaiser of WQED understood what it takes to influence legislators.”

In presenting the award to Chet Tomczyk of WTVP, Lawson said: “Chet was among the board members of the national organizations who flew in to Washington in those critical few days between the committee markup and the floor vote. Chet’s Congressman, Ray LaHood, congratulated Chet for turning out his grasstops and grassroots to make sure their voices were heard before the critical House vote.”

The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) was established to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public. As broadcasters make the transition to digital, APTS is working to ensure the federal government continues its commitment to universal public television services. APTS Action, Inc. is an affiliated organization of APTS.