my grandmother maintained that it was not the river that saved them, rather it was an idea

[primroseburrows]

MisterRogers appears before the US Senate in 1969 to try to stop funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting being cut in half by the Nixon government:

Watch this all the way through, it's worth it.


The Senate chairman is Democrat John O. Pastore from Rhode Island.

Apparently MisterRogers affected everyone he met in a similar way. He always ended his program by saying, "You’ve made this day a special day by just your being you." He certainly provided an incredible example of doing just that in front of the Nixon Senate.

Let all the dreamers wake the nation, indeed. *loves*

Comments

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

He was one of those amazing people who really do walk the walk. Inspiring.

And to think I used to make fun of my baby sister for always watching him! Ah, 10 year olds can be so cruel.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

My other favourite story is about when he was given the Lifetime Achievement award at the daytime Emmys (I got the quote from from Esquire, via Wiki). Way to blow 'em away with what's really important.

"...Mister Rogers went onstage to accept the award -- and there, in front of all the soap opera stars and talk show sinceratrons, in front of all the jutting man-tanned jaws and jutting saltwater bosoms, he made his small bow and said into the microphone, 'All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are. Ten seconds of silence.'

"And then he lifted his wrist, looked at the audience, looked at his watch, and said, 'I'll watch the time.' There was, at first, a small whoop from the crowd, a giddy, strangled hiccup of laughter, as people realized that he wasn't kidding, that Mister Rogers was not some convenient eunuch, but rather a man, an authority figure who actually expected them to do what he asked. And so they did. One second, two seconds, three seconds -- and now the jaws clenched, and the bosoms heaved, and the mascara ran, and the tears fell upon the beglittered gathering like rain leaking down a crystal chandelier. And Mister Rogers finally looked up from his watch and said softly, 'May God be with you,' to all his vanquished children."

[ex-trolleys.livejournal.com]

So much love! *gets a little verklempt*

He was invaluable to me not only for what he taught -- honesty, gentleness and respect -- but his shows helped with my English-learning tremendously (I was six when I emigrated and his was one of the few shows I enjoyed watching). I hope PBS still airs reruns, because there will never be another like him. ♥

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I don't know if PBS still airs reruns, but the show is available on DVD, so kids can still get the chance to spend time in the Neighborhood.

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

My favorite Mr. Rogers story is when two people stole his car, then returned it with a note - "Sorry, Mr. Rogers. We didn't realize it was yours."

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I heard about that. It sounds like an urban legend, but it isn't. *g*

[irinaauthor.livejournal.com]

Wow. Watching this brought back such memories. My parents were even going to name my brother Elaine if he'd been a girl, because Lady Elaine Fairchild was my favorite puppet on Mr. Rogers, which was my favorite show.

A question about your entry, though: since the chairman was a Democrat, and the Senate was Democratic too, how was this the Nixon Senate, except that it happened to be at the same time as Nixon was President? They didn't like Nixon very much, all things considered.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

My mother likes to watch (at least if they're still on, I'm not sure) reruns of the show because they de-stress her. And who didn't learn something, with all the crayon-making and chewing-gum factories they showed?

What I meant by Nixon Senate is that it was the Senate at the time Nixon was President. I meant it literally, not politically. Still, it's not often that any Senate is willing to give money to a brand-new public corporation, even the Democrats.