CPB Presents American Graduate Champion Award to Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
February 26, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 26, 2020) — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) honored Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) as an American Graduate Champion at the America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) Public Media Summit on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The congressman was recognized for his commitment to expanding educational pathways that help young people gain the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce, and for his appreciation of public media’s role in engaging communities and providing universal access to high-quality educational content.
Inspired by public media’s successful American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative, Congressman Krishnamoorthi is introducing bipartisan legislation that would create a grant program at the Department of Education to support the development and distribution of educational media designed to prepare young people for a 21st century American workforce by highlighting educational and training pathways to high-demand, skilled careers.
“I’m honored to receive this award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and I’m excited for our continuing partnership to strengthen and promote education across the country,” said Krishnamoorthi, who provided a video to accept the award. “Public media has a vital role to play in strengthening our education system and workforce by showing American viewers the full range of opportunities available to obtain an in-demand job and successful career.”
“Congressman Krishnamoorthi understands that education is the key to building a middle-class life and a strong economy,” said Pat Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “He recognizes that public media stations, working in partnership with community and business leaders are a resource helping students develop the in demand skills they need to enter the workforce. We are honored to present him with this award.”
Previous winners of the American Graduate Champion Award include Congressman G. K. Butterfield of North Carolina and Stan Law, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham.
About the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit www.cpb.org and follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe for email updates.
About American Graduate
American Graduate is public media’s long-term commitment to supporting community-based solutions to help young people succeed in school, career and life. Supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), more than 125 public television and radio stations have joined forces with over 1,700 partners to elevate the stories of youth and the supportive adults that help them succeed. Through American Graduate, public media, with its unique position as a trusted resource and important partner in local communities, provides a critical platform to shine a light on pathways to graduation and successful student outcomes. National and local reporting, on air and online is helping communities understand the challenges and community-driven solutions associated with education and future successes. Public forums, town halls and community conversations are activating discussions between community leaders, educators and more.