- Good evening, I'm Norm Silverstein.

Tonight, we're paying tribute to one of Rochester's public broadcasting pioneers.

We remember William J. Pearce, former General Manager of WXXI, who passed away last month at the age of 95.

Beginning in 1969, Bill was able to see public broadcasting as a valuable resource for lifelong learning.

He engaged our community to set the stage for what is now one of the most accomplished public media stations in the country.

He moved WXXI out of the basement of the old East High School and into a new broadcast center here on State Street.

It allowed WXXI to expand our services from just television to radio, adding a classical music station on FM, NPR News on AM 1370, and a Reachout Radio service for people with visual impairments.

Bill's mission was always about community, making sure WXXI was here as a resource for education, trusted news and information, and a celebration of arts and culture.

That mission continues to be the foundation of everything WXXI does today.

When I came onboard as president, Bill was generous in sharing his experience and his love for this community.

His legacy stands as one of service, accomplishment and leadership.

Please join us for this special presentation that first aired in 1995, as a tribute to Bill Pearce when he retired from his many years at WXXI.

(crowd chattering) - Indeed it is a good evening for us to be here, an opportunity for a grateful community to pay tribute to William J. Pearce, our own Mr. Public Broadcasting.

(audience applauds) My name is Tom McHugh, Chairman of your WXXI Public Broadcasting Console, and this evening's Master of Ceremonies.

Bill Pearce has charted the course and championed the cause of public broadcasting in Rochester for the last 26 years with dedication, humor, and diligence, and it has left an indelible imprint on WXXI.

Tonight there will be no auctions.

(audience laughs) (audience applauds) No pledges, no challenges, no telephone call, telephone number to call, no membership gifts, just gifts to Bill Pearce.

As MC, it is my responsibility to keep this evening on schedule.

And let's begin by introducing the head table.

Carol Love, Vice Chair of the WXXI Board of Trustees and President of Planned Parenthood.

Next to Carol is Bruce Russell, Director of Corporate Real Estate and Vice President for Eastman Kodak Company; Sister Marie Michelle Peartree, trustee and past chair of WXXI Board of Trustees, and President of St. Ann's Home; John Riley, Director of Communications and Special Events for the County of Monroe; Jane Plitt, trustee and past chair of the WXXI Board of Trustees; Norm Silverstein, President and CEO of the WXXI Public Broadcasting Console; Dr. John McLaughlin, our keynote speaker; William J. Pearce, our guest of honor, past President and General Manager of WXXI; and the Honorable William A. Johnson, Jr., Mayor of the City of Rochester.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the head table.

(audience applauds) - Bill, my special prayer for you on behalf of all here is taken from a prayer of Mother Teresa of Calcutta from her book, "A Simple Path."

And she says, "Take time to think, take time to pray, "take time to laugh.

"It is the source of power, "it is the greatest power on earth.

"It is the music of the soul.

"Take time to play, take time to love and be loved.

"Take time to give.

"It is the secret of perpetual youth.

"It is God's given privilege.

"It is too short a day to be selfish.

"Take time to read, take time to be friendly, "take time to work.

"It is the fountain of wisdom.

"It is the road to happiness.

"It is the price of success.

"And so, take time to do charity.

"It is the key to heaven."

Amen.

And now it's time for us to really celebrate.

- Thank you, Sister.

I would now like to call upon our new President and CEO, Norm Silverstein, who started his job only 45 days ago.

Norm's challenge will be to leverage Bill's accomplishments into an even more prosperous future for WXXI, and take us into the next century.

Norm?

(audience applauds) - Bill, this is your night.

I'm gonna keep it brief.

The state of the station is good because of your leadership, but imagine what it was like 26 years ago, as Bill and his colleagues faced the challenge of building public television and radio here in Rochester and across the nation.

You succeeded with the help of a lot of our friends here tonight in putting together a successful coalition of public and private support, resulting in the creation of an institution that we all cherish, public broadcasting.

Expectations were high for this new medium.

After all, commercial television had just been criticized as a vast wasteland.

Commercial radio was being called nothing more than a music box.

It was a daunting task.

But thanks to leaders like you, Bill, we have a powerful noncommercial voice that educates, enlightens, and yes, entertains, but remains true to its mission.

The challenge we face today, as public broadcasting enters the next millennium, is perhaps no less daunting than the one you faced a 1/4 century ago.

We must preserve the coalition of public and private support that sustains public broadcasting, but we're doing it in the face of diminishing government support and increased competition for corporate and foundation and private dollars.

We must continue to provide quality programming that meets the needs of our community and our cities, while meeting the challenge of increased competition for viewership from cable, satellite, and even computers.

And we must use the new technologies to strengthen our ties to education to our cities, but most of all, to our children.

In the next 26 years, as we enter the digital age, WXXI will be a multichannel program service.

We'll have separate channels to meet the needs of education, corporate retraining, and we'll even have high definition pictures and CD quality sound for drama, movies, and special events.

You might receive our radio and television programs by fiber optic cable or the Internet, or maybe on some medium that hasn't even been invented today.

But I make one pledge to you, Bill, and to our supporters here and at home, our commitment to quality programming and to meeting the needs of underserved audiences will never change.

I'll dedicate my time here to preserving, sustaining and growing the institution that I know you love.

As XXI stood for Channel 21 for so many years, thanks to the base of support that you've provided, XXI in the years to come is going to mean public television for the 21st century.

Thank you.

(audience applauds) - As of now, let this opportunity pass without coming to express both the commendation of the citizens of Rochester for the outstanding service that Bill Pearce has provided for 26 years plus to our community, and to the quality, the high quality level to which he has taken public television, not only here, but as a leader of public television across this country.

But on a very personal note, I wanted to be here as well because I have worked closely with Bill, and he has worked closely with me, and when I was at the Urban League, in support of a number of important initiatives.

And there was never a time that I did not go to Bill and ask for some favor that he did not, not only consider it, but he found a way to accommodate it.

And for that, I am most appreciative.

Also, Bill is a very special and unique person.

I used to run across him on Saturdays as we were both doing our household chores.

And I'd see him in the grocery store shopping and see him in the cleaners, picking up his cleaners.

And I think that we single dads don't get enough credit for the work that we do.

And certainly, I came here (audience applauds) to pay tribute to a outstanding father.

And I think that is his reputation.

I know his family appreciates that to such a great degree.

And finally, I wanna say, and I don't know if Bill has ever thought about it in this context, but I owe my current standing and position to Bill Pearce for WXXI's decision to host a series of debates and to provide me with an opportunity that money could not buy.

Ed Saper's out in the audience and he knows this, as we struggle.

(audience applauds) And I think that if we had this ability, I don't know how our guest speaker, Dr. McLaughlin, feels about this, but if we had the opportunity, if all candidates at all levels had the opportunity unfettered, unrestricted, to present themselves to the public, to allow their opinions and their views to be aired, to be cross-examined, to be weighed and assessed, I think the quality of politics and public life in this country would increase by 1000%.

(audience applauds) So, Bill, there are a few people out there who have been reminded that it was because of you and your decision that I'm where I am today, and they're probably not gonna be able to enjoy their dinner as a result of that reminder.

(audience laughs) But for the rest of us, I wanna tell you how much I deeply appreciate what you have done, not only for me and for people like myself, people who were trying to get a point of view across, who were in the minority, but for what you've done to not only the adults of this community, how you have helped to educate us over the years, but for so many children, you have been outstanding.

- For me, it's a great honor and really a privilege to be here tonight, paying tribute to Bill.

And it's a privilege to be able to join with Jack Doyle in declaring today William J. Pearce Day in Monroe County.

(audience applauds) (upbeat rock music) - [Narrator] 1969 would witness the birth of public broadcasting, Sesame Street, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Bill Pearce returning to Rochester as the new president of the Rochester Area Educational Television Association.

- And a dominant program designed to assure the future of public television and public radio in Rochester and Western New York.

- And he'd be amazed what happened.

He doesn't even know this.

In 1969, Bill Pearce comes here.

PBS is formed 1969.

Sesame Street starts in 1969.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting started in 1969, all because of Bill Pearce, I'm sure.

- Hello, I'm Bill Pearce.

- [Narrator] Bill may not have been responsible for all of that.

He is responsible for the growth of public broadcasting in Rochester.

When Bill first arrived in 1969, the studios of WXXI were located at 410 Alexander Street in the basement of old East High School.

Soon after, ground was broken at 280 State Street for the new home of WXXI.

- [Harold] I like to kid and say he was like Moses.

He led us out of old East High into the promised land of the building in which I am now sitting.

And to the staff, to the public, to everyone, that was an important move.

I can't overestimate it, because we were really a two-bit operation in old East High.

- [Narrator] The move allowed for the first expansion in services for the community as 91.5 FM took to the airwaves.

- [Harold] 91.5, WXXI FM beat the rest of the staff into the building, and that broadened our base from just a television operation into a multimedia program.

- [Narrator] In the 1980s, that multimedia company would grow with the addition of AM 1370 and Reachout Radio.

- That was a significant step, too, for the FM station was music-dominated, but we also had a commitment in the area of public affairs.

And we had a small amount of time on the FM station for public affairs and news, but not much.

The opportunity to get the second station, AM station focusing largely on public affairs, really sort of completed our mission, our goals, at least in that period of time.

Then, of course, Reachout Radio come along.

Now that had been operating for awhile, but was really ready to go under when we were approached and worked it out with the Association for the Blind, and worked out an arrangement.

And now that's been thriving.

And that's another important service that's been added in Bill's time.

- [Narrator] With the growth in services came the need for growth in facilities.

Bill led a second campaign and oversaw the construction of the latest addition to 280 State Street, the home today of all four services of the Rochester Public Broadcasting Council.

(mellow guitar music) Since that first day in 1969, local production has been at the forefront of Bill Pearce's agenda.

Performance, documentary, town meetings, educational series, whatever the subject, Bill has encouraged creativity and quality.

(upbeat jazz music) - Mr. President, what prompted you to initiate this presidential lecture series on the presidency?

- Well, I think it's a combination of things.

One, living in this house, you just can't help but feel that you'd like to know a little bit more about the people that have lived here before you, the 40 other presidents, not all of them in this house, I guess.

And secondly, I think there's a lot of interest in the presidency itself.

I get that just from riding in our car in areas that you wouldn't expect to find enthusiasm, and it's for the presidency.

It's the institution of the presidency.

So, we felt that this series, in a small way, might just lift the enjoyment level for a lot of people in this country.

- A Peabody to our final radio winner for 1994, "Fascinatin' Rhythm," WXXI FM, Rochester, New York, a 15-year and ongoing depiction, presentation and celebration of American culture through the medium of popular music.

(upbeat jazz music) (scat singing) - [Michael] This is "Fascinatin' Rhythm," songs from the golden age of American song.

I'm Michael Lasser.

By 1910, blacks had disappeared from Broadway and were virtually invisible along Tin Pan Alley.

- [Narrator] Between the 17th and 19th centuries, tens of thousands of Americans boarded a train that ran on invisible tracks.

They did so in defiance of federal law at the risk of danger and the threat of death.

- White Power, white power!

(audience cheering) - [Narrator] Much of the history of the Underground Railroad died with its passengers and conductors.

But what has been passed down or documented in secret reveals the destiny intertwined with that of our nation.

Slavery built our colonial economy and fueled a civil war, and the struggle against bondage, their flight to freedom defined the importance of liberty to America.

(dramatic symphonic music outro) - [Narrator] Education has also been an important part of Bill Pearce's tenure.

From the preschooler to adults, WXXI provides educational opportunities for all.

Bill Pearce may have one of the most recognizable faces in the Rochester area.

Being the president of a broadcasting company gives you many opportunities to be seen and heard.

He may be best known for his fundraising efforts.

Whether membership drives or auction, you could be sure to find Bill at the head of every effort.

- [Harold] Quite a few people kid Bill about his tin cup job.

And, you know, it's really sort of a tradition now.

At the auctions, he plays roles, he dresses in screwball ways for the auctions, but he adds a zip and a dash to them, a flavor.

- Hi, Bill Pearce here again.

You know, Pledge-free August was all my idea.

And fan letters have been pouring into the station.

It's really quite embarrassing.

(laughs) And like I promised, we'll cancel those pledge days just as fast as those membership checks arrive.

And if your contributions keep coming in-- - [Harold] It's not an easy job.

And they have Bill in every membership pitch for all of 26 years, for three on radio, three on television every year, hey, he gets a lot of credit in my book.

And I hope the tin cup stays full.

- [Narrator] From the basement of old East High School to the offices of 280 State Street, from a single community service to today's multimedia broadcasting company, Public Broadcasting has come a long way since 1969.

For all of that and much more, we say, thanks, congratulations, and good luck, Bill.

(dramatic symphonic music outro) - We have two wonderful presentations to make to Bill.

And the first one I would like to call up, Bruce Russell from the Eastman Kodak Company, who make a presentation of a portrait.

Bruce?

- You know, the Eastman Kodak Company has been very interested in improving our neighborhood, the neighborhood around our location on State Street.

The best event that had helped in that endeavor was WXXI moving on to its State Street location.

The second-best event was the expansion of that facility.

And we credit a lot of that activity to the leadership of Bill Pearce.

We would like to recognize a person who's been a great neighbor, a person that's provided excellent leadership to your station, and a person who has provided excellent leadership to the community.

So on behalf of the Eastman Kodak Company, we'd like to present a gift to your station to hang in your front hallway, to recognize our true leader and a great neighbor.

Bill, would you come forward?

(audience applauds) - It is indeed a privilege to be asked to make this presentation on behalf of all of the men and women who have served as chairs of the WXXI Board.

We've heard a lot about Bill's accomplishments this evening, but no one has mentioned the extraordinary interpersonal skills that Bill has demonstrated to deal with 16 very strong-minded individual chairs who have their own opinion about the direction for WXXI.

Combine that with the hundreds of individuals who have served on the WXXI Board over the years.

Bill has also been a staunch supporter of education.

And that has been a major priority in all of the programs and efforts of WXXI.

And while many of you may associate that with Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers, which surely is important, Bill has also kept our feet on the ground to remind us about serving the more basic needs.

And many of you may not know, but Bill's future was changed when he became a GED graduate.

And for the last 10 years, he has enabled hundreds of this community citizenry to participate and to graduate with a GED degree in order to change their futures.

So, Bill, we have two gifts for you.

One is our commitment that we will continue to build on the extraordinary legacy that Bill and the staff and the volunteers of this community have enabled WXXI to present, and that we will continue to strengthen WXXI's programs and services for the 21st century.

And the second gift, Bill, is Bill's Trees as painted by Judy Soprano.

Bill?

- [Bill] Oh!

(audience applauds) - Well, Bill, the presentations are over.

The accolades are over and now it's your turn.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Public Broadcasting, our own Renaissance man, Bill Pearce.

(audience applauds) - Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Well, needless to say, you know, I'm humbled and embarrassed by all these things.

No one ever mentions all the things you did wrong and all the stupid things you did over the years.

You can't work any place for 26 years without doing a lot of things that you wish you hadn't.

At any rate, friends of WXXI, other volunteers, members, associates, WXXI staff, trustees, Trustee Council, underwriters who are here, government officials.

First auction y'all know about now.

Dottie Wadsworth chaired the second auction.

We had color television that year.

And one of the reason we got a color television unit because Merce Brugler was our chairman then.

Merce is the one who hired me, made the decision, whether you liked it or not, to hire me in 1969.

And 1970 came, we were still doing things in black and white.

And someone said wouldn't it be nice we get color equipment here?

Well, we didn't have any color.

We had this old cast-off cameras and things.

And Merce called me aside after the meeting, very quiet man but very forceful, he was the CEO of Taylor Instruments, among other things in this community, and said, "Well, Bill, "how much does that cost to get a color unit here?"

I said, "Well, you know, about $10,000."

He said, "Well, go ahead and get it and I'll pay for that."

Well, that was the kind of a quiet thing that Merce did.

And I don't know if anyone knows about that, or if I'm telling you now something for the first time, but it was just marvelous.

And at that same auction, Father Charles Lavery, who was then the president of St. John Fisher, couldn't believe this marvelous mobile television unit out behind the old East High School, which is now abandoned, as you know.

So he had to go out and look at it.

It was dark out behind the building.

When he came out, he fell and broke his leg.

So we piled him off to St. Mary's where he had this cast made from his hip to his ankle.

You know, Father Charlie was pretty big, so the cast was about this long.

And, of course, he was well-connected with everyone in this community.

Every politician, every CEO knew him.

Everybody knew him.

So everybody trotted to St. Mary's and signed the cast.

So, when he took the cast off, I said, "Well, Charlie, "what an auction item."

(audience laughs) Well, it was auctioned off.

It was auctioned, went for 350 bucks.

The high bidder came in, the cast was missing.

We do not know to this day where that cast is, (audience laughs) that has 100 names on of, really, it's almost a history of Rochester, and that someone in this room might have that cast.

(audience laughs) We still don't know where it is.

Alice Wynd was another one of those early, one of those pioneers.

And many of you remember Alice.

It was in 1972, we were still in those old digs at East High, and we were meeting and having Board meetings then in the boardroom at Marine Midland because of Frank's connection there.

And we'd been talking about moving out of there and getting a facility of our own.

And finally, Alice, who was really a classy woman, said, "I'm tired of talking about it.

"Here's my check, let's do it."

So she called our bluff on the spots.

And no one had the courage to face Alice down.

And we got a capital campaign going.

Dave Straussenberg headed it, raised $3 million.

So, by the time we moved into the building, it was paid for.

And that was, the commitment by Alice Wynd was just amazing.

And right up until she left this earth, she believed wholeheartedly in what public radio and public television could do.

This is the first time that so many of my family have been together in the same room here in Rochester.

(audience applauds) It's our willingness to stick our necks out and try out different programming for whatever, for adult audiences, for kids audiences, whether it's preschool, the high school equivalency program that Jane mentioned that we're having a lot of success with, it's really important.

It's programming, programming, and programming.

And I'm not the originator of that statement, someone else is.

But that's what's gonna keep public radio and public television alive, things that you wanna watch and you're willing to support.

And that's what I know, is that Norm and this great staff is committed to.

And you are wonderful to turn out for this.

Thank you.

(audience applauds)