CONGRESSWOMAN ANNA ESHOO TO RECEIVE A 2010 APTS CHAMPION OF PUBLIC...

WASHINGTON—June 18, 2010—Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) will receive a 2010 Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) Champion of Public Broadcasting Award on Monday, June 21 at 11am at an event organized by local public broadcasting stations KQED and KCSM at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. This award is given to Members of Congress and other individuals who have had a tremendous impact on the ability of local public television stations to meet the most critical needs of the communities they serv

"Congresswoman Eshoo is a Co-Chair of the House Public Broadcasting Caucus and has been a major advocate for public broadcasting," said Lonna Thompson, Interim President and CEO of APTS. "She was the lead sponsor during the 110th and 111th Congresses of legislation requiring DISH Network to carry the exquisite quality and rich diversity of digital public television programming. In this role, she led the successful charge in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to require high definition carriage of public television signals in local HD DISH markets. Her leadership was critical as Americans depend on the educational content and news and public affairs programming provided by public broadcasting."

"There is only one place in the world of television that I can totally rely on for truth, entertainment, facts and beauty…and that is Public Broadcasting," Rep. Eshoo said. "I'm humbled to be chosen a 'Champion of Public Broadcasting' and awarded for the work I'm privileged to do."  

Eshoo was first sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives in 1993, after serving on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for 10 years. She represents California's 14th Congressional District, which is located between the cities of San Francisco, Santa Cruz and San Jose, including portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Eshoo has served on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee since 1995 and is a member of the Subcommittee on Communications Technology and the Internet and the Subcommittee on Health. The Energy and Commerce Committee is responsible for legislation affecting Medicare, Medicaid, telecommunications, energy, the Internet, health-based environmental laws, children's health, biotechnology, high technology, water resources, bioterrorism, homeland security, interstate commerce, gun safety, consumer protection, and food and drug safety.  

Thompson concluded, "Congresswoman Eshoo's leadership in support of public broadcasting has been unwavering. She continues to advocate for public broadcasting on a national level, as well as being a strong supporter of KQED, KTEH and KCSM, the public television stations in her district. We are proud to present Congresswoman Eshoo with a Champion of Public Broadcasting Award for her exceptional leadership on behalf of public television."

About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. The mission of APTS is to conduct – in concert with member stations – advocacy, planning, research and communications activities in order to achieve strong and financially sound noncommercial television and advanced digital services for the American people. APTS provides consistent leadership and information that helps our members better accomplish their own missions and goals. APTS promotes the legislative and regulatory interests of noncommercial television stations at the national level through direct advocacy, and grasstops and grassroots campaigns designed to garner congressional support. For more information, visit www.apts.org.