Mr Rogers

For Mr Rogers I want to depict his love and kindness for children along with his deep commitment to making the world a better place one child at a time. His commitment was so strong that he took his passion to the Senate Committee on Commerce Subcommittee on Communications in 1969 to defend $20 million in federal funding proposed for the newly formed non-profit Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Senator John Pastore was unimpressed with all the previous corporate individuals arguing their case and at the beginning of Mr Rogers intro he was abrasive toward him and unimpressed. Within six minutes Fred Rogers changed the senators mood from belligerent to awe with a powerfully moving speech. Mr Rogers single-handedly defended Public Broadcasting and won the funding.

Through his quiet, powerful, and heart felt presence Mr Rogers ensured that he, and many others, could educate children for years to come. He is one of my heroes.

Total time: 18 hours