WASHINGTON — February 23, 2014 — The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) today presented its Champion of Public Broadcasting Award to Governor Mike Pence (R-IN).
The Champion of Public Broadcasting Award is given to political leaders and other individuals who safeguard the ability of local public television stations to provide educational, public safety and civic engagement services to their communities.
“Governor Mike Pence is a highly-respected conservative who jealously guards taxpayers’ interests, believes deeply in limited government, values the public service mission of public television, and has recommended an investment of State funds in support of that mission in Indiana,” said APTS president and CEO Patrick Butler. “We are profoundly grateful for his support of our work in education, public safety and well-informed citizenship, and we are honored to present a well-deserved Champion of Public Broadcasting Award to one of the most principled and talented political leaders in our country.”
“The foundation of a free society is an educated and informed public,” said Governor Pence. “For decades, Indiana’s public television stations have enriched and engaged the Hoosier public and reflected the state's values. I am grateful for their service and that of the Association of Public Television Stations in furthering the knowledge of viewers across this great nation every day."
Governor Mike Pence is a lifelong Hoosier with legal, small business and policy experience. He was elected the 50th Governor of the State of Indiana in 2012 and inaugurated January 14, 2013.
Governor Pence is dedicated to continuing Indiana on a pathway to success through fiscal responsibility, economic development and educational opportunity for every Hoosier child.
During his first legislative session as governor, Governor Pence worked with the Indiana General Assembly to craft an honestly balanced budget that maintains strong reserves for the State and continues to generate a surplus. The budget includes the largest state tax cut in history, as well as new money for roads and schools. Governor Pence expanded school choice and addressed Indiana’s skills gap by making career and technical education a priority in every Indiana high school.
Governor Pence manages a State employee workforce of approximately 28,000 and a State budget of $30.6 billion. He oversees the duties of the executive branch as the state’s chief executive officer, recommends and reviews legislation with members of the Indiana General Assembly, and also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Indiana National Guard.
Prior to being elected governor, Pence represented Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District in Congress.
First elected in 2000 and earning a sixth term in 2010, Governor Pence brought his Hoosier sensibility to the table and quickly established a record of serving his constituents and championing fiscal responsibility, smaller government and economic growth — skills and values he has brought with him to state government.
Governor Pence’s leadership and legislative accomplishments resulted in him being elected unanimously by his colleagues to serve as House Republican Conference Chairman and Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee.
A strong supporter of the military, Governor Pence has made a priority of reducing veteran unemployment and, while in Congress, he visited Hoosier soldiers in Iraq and/or Afghanistan every year since hostilities began.
Governor Pence was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, graduated from Columbus North High School, went on to graduate from Hanover College in 1981 and earned his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1986.
Governor Pence and First Lady Karen Pence have been married since 1985 and currently live in the Governor’s Residence. They have three adult children, Michael, Charlotte and Audrey.
The Champion of Public Broadcasting Award was presented to Governor Pence during The APTS Public Media Summit on Sunday, February 23.
About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. The mission of APTS is to conduct – in concert with member stations – advocacy, planning, research, communications and other activities that foster a strong and financially sound public television system providing essential public services to all Americans. Its affiliate APTS Action, Inc. promotes the legislative and regulatory interests of noncommercial television stations at the national level through direct advocacy and through grasstops and grassroots campaigns designed to garner bipartisan congressional support. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
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