CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON RELEASED THIS STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUED FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

Dallas, Texas – (Thursday, March 17, 2011) – “At a time when our national news is driven more and more by commercial interests and obsession with viewing ratings; it’s more important than ever for Americans to have an objective and unbiased news source and national commentary that National Public Radio (NPR) has provided since the 1970’s. Hundreds of my constituents have called my offices, sent emails and faxes to express how important (NPR) is to them. Smaller radio stations in rural America that have limited news exposure, rely heavily on NPR’s unbiased news sources. Low- income families, families living in rural areas, and minorities would be especially hurt by this legislation as these communities depend on NPR for access to news and information on public safety.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. She is also the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas that includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.