At the annual PBS meeting held this summer, one of the most respected and powerful messages was delivered by a gentle, soft-spoken, gray-haired man who has devoted the past 30 years of his life to educating and inspiring children. His name is Fred Rogers.

Amid the whirlwind of noteworthy presentations, professional workshops, program previews and cutting-edge technology, Mister Rogers' eloquence provided a moving counterpoint in the symphony known as PBS. His soliloquy, which served as a coda for the conference, was met with a rousing, standing ovation. Many in the audience were rendered misty-eyed by the simplicity, sincerity and spirituality of his message. The "messenger" had reminded us of the miracle of our mission.

He said: "After 30 years of being a part of your PBS network, I guess one of the most important things that I've learned is that 'the more we appreciate others...cherish others...the more we'll find ourselves'. I'm forever showing and telling the children and their families that what matters most about us, is what's inside ourselves.

"It's a great joy to be able to offer the best that society can give to its youngest members, many of whom have embraced their own growing sacredness of appreciation. And, of course, through it all, we consistently try to demonstrate that what is essential is mostly invisible to the eye.

"Public broadcasting [was] created to serve those who way down deep, yearn for what matters ultimately in life. I wonder if we might pledge ourselves to do all we can to help our audiences remember what life is really all about - not to be afraid that we're less flashy than the next, not to worry that our influence is not that of a high powered tornado, but rather that of a grain of sand in an oyster!

"In public broadcasting, all of us have the great privilege of offering glimpses of what's eternal, glimpses of what might be missing, glimpses of that which somehow connects us all one to another. What a worthy gift to our civilization for PBS to use its creative talents to point in the direction of the simple, the quiet, the truthful, the generous, the kind. It's a lot to ask, I know, but in our 30-year history as a network, we're used to being asked a lot. If we don't do it for those who count on us, who will?

"Thank you for encouraging me - yes, allowing me - all of these years to be a part of this great mission." No, Mister Rogers - on behalf of our children, it's we who thank you.

Samuel M. Lemon, M.S.
Manager, Community Education Services