WASHINGTON — July 13, 2015 — The Association of Public Television Stations today commended the United States Senate on its passage of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015. In a statement, APTS president and chief executive officer Patrick Butler said:
“The Association of Public Television Stations is grateful for the leadership of Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson and Ranking Democratic Member Claire McCaskill in securing Senate passage of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015.
“Public television stations are honored to be an integral part of the IPAWS system, and we look forward to public broadcasting’s service on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee established by this legislation.
“Public safety is one of the pillars of public service to which America’s public television stations are dedicated, and in addition to this federal role, we are playing an increasingly important role in linking state and local law enforcement and first responder agencies with one another and with the public in times of emergency.
“This essential work we do in public safety and homeland security is one more compelling reason for continued public investment in public television, at both the federal and state levels, and we appreciate the opportunity to be a useful partner in this critical enterprise.”
About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. APTS represents the overwhelming majority of the 171 public television licensees nationwide. The mission of APTS is to conduct – in concert with member stations – advocacy, planning, research and communications activities to foster strong and financially sound noncommercial television. APTS also works to ensure member stations’ commitment and capacity to perform essential public service missions in education, public safety and civic leadership for the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
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