WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 14, 2016 - Patrick Butler, president and chief executive officer of America's Public Television Stations (APTS), made the following statement today on the passing of Gwen Ifill, co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour, who died on November 14:
"The public television family lost one of its most beloved members today. Gwen Ifill was more than a superb journalist; she was a national treasure, and her passing is devastating to all who knew her, either personally or through her nightly visits in America's homes as co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour.
"I have known Gwen since her days as a reporter for The Washington Post, where she first earned her national reputation for fearless, balanced, incisive journalism of the highest order.
"Gwen was also an active and valued member of Washington's philanthropic community, and her contributions to the improvement of thousands of lives in our capital city were as profound as they were purposely unheralded.
"We have lost a great journalist and a deeply good person with the passing of Gwen Ifill, but we are fortunate to have had her light in our world, though for far too brief a time."
About APTS
America's Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and providing essential public services in education, public safety and civic leadership to the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
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