[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CAPITALISM AFTER THE COLD WAR

                                 ______


                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 1995

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of the 
Denver and Ephrata Telephone & Telegraph Co. [D&E], a 
[[Page E1229]] proven leader in the telecommunications industry. Along 
with three other firms, D&E is spearheading the development of a 
communications network in Hungary.
  Since the end of the cold war, we have seen how the opening of new 
markets in Eastern Europe has affected the political and economic 
climate across the globe. The strength of our free-market system gave 
us victory in the cold war, and that same strength will help us to 
forge new friendships with developing nations by stimulating economic 
growth both here and abroad.
  D&E is the 34th largest telephone company in the United States and 
serves more than 48,000 customers in northern Lancaster County, PA. It 
is recognized as a leader in the telecommunications industry due to its 
use of advanced technology.
  D&E has joined three midwestern firms to create a consortium known as 
the Monor Communications Group [MCG]. The goal of this consortium is to 
provide modern telecommunications service to the people of Hungary. In 
May 1994, Hungary's Ministry of Telecommunications signed a concession 
contract allowing MCG to form a Hungarian-American telephone company 
named Monor Telefon Tarasag [MTT].
  Monor, a suburb of Budapest, was selected as the location for MTT. 
The Monor region consists of 43 towns with a total population of 
225,000 people. Then are approximately 78,000 private residences and 
5,000 businesses.
  MTT is steadily constructing a sophisticated, fiber optic linked, 
digital telecommunications network. Upon obtaining the MTT territory, 
there were 12,000 existing telephone lines. By the end of 1995, MTT 
plans to have 42,000 digital lines in service. A total of 70,000 lines 
should be in service by the end of 1996. In addition, MTT will provide 
cable TV as well as other value-added communications services. MTT 
looks to offer sophisticated technology along with the commitment to 
quality service that has been a trademark of D&E for more than 83 
years.
  This type of American ingenuity and forward-thinking should be an 
example to other American businesses in all industries. The decline of 
communism has provided a golden opportunity for economic investment, as 
well as the development of a mutual understanding between our cultures. 
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join with me in saluting the 
efforts of the Denver and Ephrata Telephone & Telegraph Co.


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