Public Television Stations to Honor Philanthropist Elsie Hillman for Her Lifetime Commitment to Public Service Media

Public Television Stations to Honor Philanthropist Elsie Hillman for Her Lifetime Commitment to Public Service Media

APTS to Recognize 'Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania' Icon for her Lifelong Service and Commitment to Public Broadcasting

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) will present the 2008 David J. Brugger Grassroots Advocacy Award to Elsie Hilliard Hillman, past Chair of the Board of Directors and now a Trustee Emeritus of WQED Multimedia in Pittsburgh.

The Brugger Award, named for the former president and chief executive officer of APTS, recognizes an individual or individuals who have shown exemplary leadership in grassroots advocacy on behalf of Public Television. The Brugger Award will recognize Elsie Hillman's lifelong service and commitment to preserving and strengthening Public Broadcasting in America.

In 1954, more than a decade before Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Elsie saw the great potential value in using television as an educational tool. When WQED first went on the air in 1954, Elsie was one of the station's first volunteers, and strongest supporters. As the great enterprise of Public Broadcasting grew, Elsie played an active role in shaping it. Through her personal friendship with Fred Rogers, she deepened her commitment to using television to educate and nurture young children. Elsie also played an instrumental role in making possible Public Television's National Geographic specials, which were produced by WQED.

Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania and former first secretary of Homeland Security said: "Elsie is a wonderful person, a good friend and well deserving of such an honor from Public Television. Congratulations Elsie."

"Elsie has always had a special place in her heart for Public Broadcasting and the WQED family. She was the heartbeat of the volunteer force which developed Public Broadcasting," said George L. Miles, Jr., WQED president and chief executive officer. "She was a supporter of WQED when it went on the air as the nation's first community-supported station and she's been active and involved ever since. She worked on the WQED pledge phones, hosted the WQED Great TV Auction, served on the Board of Directors, was Chair of the Board, and has contributed her time and money for the good of people and organizations everywhere. Public Broadcasting is still here today thanks to Elsie Hillman and her vision for public media."

John Lawson, APTS president and chief executive officer, said: "Elsie Hillman has been a category five political force at the national and local levels for a long time. We are truly blessed that she took on the cause of Public Broadcasting at the beginning and has been willing to use her considerable influence on our behalf."

Elsie was the inspiration for WQED's Elsie Awards to honor people whose life's work has demonstrated love of community, compassion for others and using communication to have a positive impact on society. The "Elsies" began in 1996 and were awarded semi-annually until 2004. Proceeds from the event gala benefited children's programming on WQED. Former first lady Barbara Bush, Pittsburgh native actor Michael Keaton, Victor Borge, Joan Ganz Cooney, and Fred Rogers himself were three of the more notable recipients of the Elsie Award. Elsie was also named a "Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania" in recognition of her leadership and service to the state.

Elsie and her husband, Henry, best demonstrate that learning is a lifelong pursuit through their generous contributions that enrich the lives of all people in southwestern Pennsylvania. Their philanthropy is seen in the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh, the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Hillman Fellows Program for Innovative Cancer Research, and their latest gift to the community--The Hillman Endowment for International Performances, which will endow worldwide tours of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for years to come.

APTS will present the award to Elsie during a ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 11, as part of the APTS Capitol Hill Day meeting. The ceremony will be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington, D.C.

APTS was established to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public. As broadcasters make the transition to digital, APTS is working to ensure the federal government continues its commitment to universal public television services.

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Source: Association of Public Television Stations

CONTACT: Tania Panczyk-Collins of the Association of Public Television
Stations, +1-202-654-4222, tpanczyk@apts.org

Web Site:

http://www.apts.org/

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