Big Bird (Muppetus aves maximus) photo Todd Plitt, USA Today
The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has chosen Big Bird (Muppetus aves maximus) as their Bird of the Week for October 12, 2012!
Why would ABC choose Big Bird? He is a unique and talented creature who has helped educate generations of children, appeared on countless television shows and movies, and even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His lovable, innocent, and curious personality has helped endear him to millions of children and adults all over the world1.
If Big Bird was chosen as the Bird of the Week, why does he look so worried?
I’ll tell you why.
For over a year, the House GOP has been trying to cut funding for National Public Radio (NPR) which is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which also funds the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). Last May, the Republican-controlled Congress passed a bill stripping NPR of federal funding, but it stalled in the Senate, where Democrats retain control.
NPR receives about 2 percent of its annual budget in the form of grants from the CPB. In addition, it receives about 36 percent of its annual revenue from station fees and membership dues for news and information, cultural and entertainment programing. Support from the CPB accounts on average for 15 percent of funding for the more than 1,100 public radio and television stations around the country2.
Talk about irony, here’s a question for you. What do these people have in common: William F. Buckley, Walter Cronkite, B. B. King, Yo-Yo Ma, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem and Steven Spielberg? Give up? They, along with Big Bird have each been awarded the “Living Legend” award by the Library of Congress!
The Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
The Library of Congress sponsors privately endowed programs that honor achievement in the humanities and creativity. Through these awards and prizes, the world’s greatest repository of human creativity honors those who have advanced and embodied the ideals of individual creativity, conviction, dedication, scholarship and exuberance3.
Established during its Bicentennial celebration in 2000, the Library of Congress’ “Living Legend” award is selected by the Library’s curators and subject specialists to honor artists, writers, activists, filmmakers, physicians, entertainers, sports figures and public servants who have made significant contributions to America’s diverse cultural, scientific and social heritage. The professional accomplishments of the Living Legends have enabled them to provide examples of personal excellence that have benefited others and enriched the nation in a variety of ways4.
Big Bird was awarded Living Legend status in April 2000 by the Library of Congress
Now the House of Representatives under Republican rule, want to end funding to public broadcasting all together. If you saw Mitt Romney in the debate last week, or even if you didn’t, you probably know by now that he promised to cut funding for PBS if elected.
Here is a message from PBS president Paula Kerger
As far as I’m concerned, NPR is the only place I am assured of getting real news. The truth about what’s happening in the world. If public broadcasting goes away, these stations will be subject to trying to please their sponsors like all the rest of the commercial broadcasting networks. That is not good for you and I.
I urge you to join 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting
and contact your congressman in support of public broadcasting in the United States.
Big Bird’s popularity is just another example of the positive impact of birds on society and culture. Can we allow yet another endangered species to become extinct? Urge congress to never take away our public broadcasting system by taking action now!
References: 1American Bird Conservancy, 2Reuters, 3Library of Congress, 4Library of Congress, Living Legends
Links to more information on the GOP attempts to de-fund public broadcasting:
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I could agree more about public broadcasting and public radio. I would feel utterly lost without either. By the way, I didn’t know about the common thread of the Living Legend award. Great trivia!
Uh … meant to say “couldn’t agree more.”