Seven-minute footage of Fred Rogers testifying before a US Senate subcommittee in 1969 to defend federal funding for the new Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A skeptical Senator Pastore starts out abrasive and is won over during Rogers' brief, calm testimony.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters hold it up as a model of persuasive public speaking and as the go-to reminder of why public broadcasting deserves funding.
“Fred Rogers' 1969 testimony before the Senate in defense of PBS funding is very moving.”HN comment, 2019
“One of my favorite examples of public speaking is Mr. Rogers testifying before a Senate subcommittee”
Calm, clear testimony supporting public television funding
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One of my favorite examples of public speaking is Mr. Rogers testifying before a Senate subcommittee in support of funding for national public television. He is calm, thoughtful and thorough through the entire process, speaking simply and without grandeur. It's a small wonder he found such success, and a great example of the importance of clear communication. this video
Strongly recommendskingbirdyDec 2019
“Fred Rogers' 1969 testimony before the Senate in defense of PBS funding is very moving.”
Moving testimony that prevented a funding cut
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If you haven't seen it before, Fred Rogers' 1969 testimony before the Senate in defense of PBS funding is very moving. He was able to prevent a $10M cut to their $20M funding. this video
Strongly recommendschimeracoderJan 2024
“one must-see video outside the show is Fred Rogers testifying before the Senate in 1969”
Rogers wins over a hostile senator in minutes
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> Doesn't look like he recorded much (outside the show), but definitely will be looking into what he has recorded. For anyone who hasn't seen it, one must-see video outside the show is Fred Rogers testifying before the Senate in 1969, in order to defend funding for public television. He is able to win over an incredibly rude and hostile senator in just a few minutes. this video
RecommendshitekkerDec 2015
“I encourage you to watch this,”
Shows how effective Fred Rogers was as a speaker
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> Mister Rogers For those who didn't grow up with Mister Rogers, I encourage you to watch this, this video , to get a sense of how effective he was as a speaker.
RecommendsdisqardJul 2018
“I'll leave this link here anyway, for others who might not have seen this.”
Rogers testifying to maintain PBS funding
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That's very well articulated. He had no pretense and never came across as patronizing, at least in my (admittedly limited) sampling of old episodes via YouTube. The "take others for exactly who they are" mentality captures his earnestness and utter lack of guile in his interactions. I'm sure you've seen him testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications to maintain funding for PBS [0], but I'll leave this link here anyway, for others who might not have seen this. [0] this video
RecommendsextralegoJul 2018
“Incase anyone hasn’t seen this video of him presenting before the senate committee in 1969”
Rogers presenting to the Senate committee in 1969
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Incase anyone hasn’t seen this video of him presenting before the senate committee in 1969, in support of national public television. this video
RecommendsyoshamanoSep 2018
“here's his speech to Congress fighting for funding for public television”
Rogers fighting for public television funding
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There was a documentary about him released this year I highly recommend called Won't You Be My Neighbor. link As far as examples, here's an episode about divorce that I remember helping me deal with my parents' divorce when I was little. link Or here's his speech to Congress fighting for funding for public television (it's more complicated than just funding for public television, but that's the basic idea). this video Or one of my favorites, his acceptance speech for his lifetime achievement Emmy Award. link
RecommendsalickzSep 2021
“his testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on Communications is very impressive to me.”
Impressive Senate testimony even for non-Americans
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As a European I never grew up with Mister Rogers, but his testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on Communications is very impressive to me. this video
RecommendsadfmDec 2025
“I offer Fred Rogers testifying before the senate subcommittee on communications as a refresher on why we must continue to fund PBS and NPR.”
Why public broadcasting deserves funding
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I offer Fred Rogers testifying before the senate subcommittee on communications as a refresher on why we must continue to fund PBS and NPR. this video The person on the other end of that call is thin skinned and likely not hugged much as a child. Sad.
Cites itDonHopkinsJun 2018
“Here is Mister Rogers talking to the children in Congress”
Rogers asking Congress for public television funding
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I agree 100% with Berkeley Breathed when he wrote: Mister Rogers: Welcome to my neighborhood, boys and girls! Did you enjoy meeting Senator Kravitz today? I did. He told us about something called "inflation," didn't he? Can YOU say "inflation?" Opus: Inphlabph. Mister Rogers: Good! Can you say "Mister Rogers should be paid more dough?" Opus: Mister Rogers should - Mister Rogers: Can you put it on a postcard? link I believe that was a Soupy Sales reference: linklink Here is Mister Rogers talking to the children in Congress, successfully asking them to send him millions of little green pieces of paper: this video
Cites its5300Oct 2020
“the U.S. (of which I'm a citizen) has a singular entity to thank for the fact PBS is here today.”
Rogers credited with saving PBS funding
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No. They don't. As a matter of fact, the U.S. (of which I'm a citizen) has a singular entity to thank for the fact PBS is here today. this video And, to add some insult, one of our two leading political parties is currently making fun of that entity. Things are great over here.
Cites itbtillyJul 2022
“he spoke to them in the way he spoke to all humans.”
Rogers spoke to Congress the way he spoke to children
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In other words, he spoke to children as if they are inexperienced humans. No, he spoke to them in the way he spoke to all humans. For example here he is talking to Congress: this video
Cites itgjvcJan 2024
“as I think he explains in his statement to the Senate Subcommitte on Communications in 1969”
Rogers explains his view on children and television
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for children who had the television as a babysitter and that's the difference, as I think he explains in his statement to the Senate Subcommitte on Communications in 1969 this video
Cites itraw_anon_1111Apr 2026
“They have been trying to get rid of funding since at least 1969”
Funding attacks date back to at least 1969
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So exactly when was the US a “good democracy”? 80 years ago segregation was still in the South based on a ruling by the Supreme Court “separate but equal”. Even until the 80s it was legal to arrest a homosexual couple for having sex in their own home based on “sodomy” laws. Today women are dying because doctors are afraid of performing medical necessary abortions to save their lives because they might go to jail They have been trying to get rid of funding since at least 1969 when Mr. Rogers himself went before Congress to try to keep it. this video It amazes me that anyone who knows anything about this country actually wants to give it more control of the media or any increased power .
