The Friends of THIRTEEN Celebrate 50 Years of Landmark Moments & Accomplishment
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The Friends of THIRTEEN marked its 50th Anniversary as ambassadors for public broadcasting in the New York community with a celebration at the Metropolitan Club on November 1, 2017. Celebrating flagship PBS station THIRTEEN and the Friends’ early years, the gala luncheon revisited landmark moments and accomplishments through 50 years of WNET’s history.
Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET, welcomed guests and thanked the Friends of THIRTEEN for their, “dedicated support for THIRTEEN for the past 50 years of innovation, inspiration and imagination. It took enormous foresight for the founders of this grassroots organization to see that we would need the passion of viewers and community members to provide an extra boost as we found our home in the homes of millions in the tri-state area.” Bill Moyers Honored with Award Shapiro presented veteran journalist Bill Moyers with the Friends of Thirteen 2017 Inspiration Award. Moyers was honored for his lasting contributions to public television. Moyers was a guest panelist at a Friends’ luncheon in 1969. It was this event that prompted him to leave his position as publisher of Newsday and move to public television. NYC-ARTS co-host Paula Zahn introduced a performance by The Knights. The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians, dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Colin Jacobsen and Eric Jacobsen, The Knights’ founders and artistic directors, performed with the ensemble. |
The event also commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which established the model for federal support for public media. MetroFocus co-host Jack Ford moderated a sit-down conversation with Bill Moyers and The Honorable Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
Moyers had been “present at the creation” of public media, shepherding the White House task force that would eventually produce the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Califano, President Johnson’s chief assistant for domestic affairs from 1965 to 1969, the bill was signed on November 7, 1967. It changed the face of public media forever. Patrick Butler, President & CEO of America’s Public Television Stations, remarked, “We were privileged to welcome the legendary Joseph Califano to our 2017 Public Media Summit in February, and a conversation with Mr. Califano and Bill Moyers about the creation of the Public Broadcasting Act is about as special a prospect as anyone in our business — or anyone interested in public policy and political history — could ask for.” Other notable attendees included Mae Wong Miller, Chairman Friends of Thirteen, Dorothy Pacella, Executive Director Friends of Thirteen, Rosalind P. Walter, WNET Trustee, longtime supporter of the Friends, and Luncheon Honorary Co-Chair; and Jane Williams, WNET Trustee, Chair of the Education Committee, and Luncheon Honorary Co-Chair. Jack Ford, MetroFocus co-host, served as program host. |
To learn more about the Friends of THIRTEEN visit their website!
To learn more about the Friends and their 50th Anniversary Celebration check out the below videos:
Bill Moyers Reflects on 50 Years of Public Broadcasting
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Bill Moyers and Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Discuss the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 |
President Lyndon Johnson and The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 |
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Patrick Butler Salutes PBS’ Transformative Effects |
Paula Zahn and The Knights |
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Jack Ford, co-host of MetroFocus, and Luncheon Co-Chairs Carmela Haklisch and Katherine Connors Opening Remarks |
Jack Ford, co-host of MetroFocus, and Luncheon Co-Chairs Carmela Haklisch and Katherine Connors Closing Remarks |