July 11, 2005

Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson

Corporation for Public Broadcasting\
401 Ninth Street, NW\
Washington, DC 20004-2129

Dear Chairman Tomlinson:

We write to express our deep concern that PBS utilized not only American
taxpayer funds, but also funds from the Playboy Foundation, to fund a
"documentary" against abstinence education and in favor of
contraceptive-based sex education for teens.

According to the PBS website, a film entitled "The Education of Shelby
Knox" was funded in part by the taxpayers and in part by the Playboy
Foundation. It is obvious to us why the Playboy Foundation would have a
financial interest in funding what amounts to promiscuity propaganda,
given that its founder has not made his millions promoting abstinence
until marriage. What is less obvious is why PBS, an organization that
associates itself with "Big Bird" and "Sesame Street" and as recently as
last month represented itself to Congress as promoting family
programming, would team up with the Playboy Foundation.

It is unfortunate that the Playboy Foundation-funded documentary not
only advocates contraception-based sex education for teenagers, but also
seeks to portray abstinence-until-marriage education in a negative
light. Abstinence programs not only provide our nation's youth the facts
about human sexuality, but they also teach them how to recognize and
reject inappropriate sexual advances and pressures. These extraordinary
programs help teenagers stay healthy, develop strong self-esteem, and
improve their future, a contribution to society that Congress has
affirmed year after year through our budget and appropriations process.

In fiscal year 2005, taxpayers will provide \$400 million to the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, from which PBS affiliates around
the country draw funding. While only 15% of PBS' annual budget comes
from federal taxpayers, we believe it is important for PBS to account
for the millions of dollars in federal funds that it receives so we may
ensure taxpayer funds are being used appropriately.

In light of these concerns, please provide us with information regarding
the nature of the relationship between PBS and the Playboy Foundation.
Specifically, please provide the following:

> 1\) The amount of federal funds spent on the "Education of Shelby
> Knox," including, but not limited to, funds spent on development,
> production, website design, promotional materials, etc.
>
> 2). A comprehensive list of PBS projects, programs, events, etc.
> funded and/or sponsored by both the federal government and the Playboy
> Foundation, with the federal funding amounts delineated per project,
> program, event, etc.
>
> 3\) Copies of any and all documents and communications (including
> electronic communication) between PBS and the Corporation for Public
> Broadcasting regarding "The Education of Shelby Knox."
>
> 4\) Copies of any and all communications (including electronic
> communication), between the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
> employees or representatives to employees or representative of the
> Playboy Foundation within the last three fiscal years, including the
> current fiscal year.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signatories on letter to PBS regarding the Playboy Foundation, dated
July 11, 2005.

Reps:

Akin

Barrett

Bartlett

Culberson

Doolittle

Feeney

Flake

Gingrey

Goode

Gutknecht

Hart

Hensarling

Hunter

S. King

Marchant

McHenry

Musgrave

Neugebauer

Norwood

Pence

Pitts

Rohrabacher

Ryun

S. Johnson

Shadegg

Sodrel

Terry

Westmoreland