[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RADIO BROADCASTING PRESERVATION ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3439) to 
     prohibit the Federal Communications Commission for 
     establishing rules authorizing the operation on new, low 
     power FM radio stations:

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3439, the Radio 
Broadcasting Preservation Act, because it protects the interests of all 
parties affected by low-power FM.
  I have several small and independent broadcasters in my district. 
They provide important services to communities in Lancaster and Chester 
Counties, PA. Unfortunately, the FCC Low-Power FM rule threatens these 
broadcasters and many like them across the country.
  While the intentions of the FCC are good, its policy is bad. The 
FCC's low-power FM policy does not provide adequate safeguards against 
broadcasting interference.
  Do we really want to increase the burden for these small and 
independent stations, many of which are already struggling to stay on 
the air? I think not.
  For this reason, we need to pass H.R. 3439 and protect FM station 
license holders in small, rural markets where there are already limited 
opportunities for stations to sell the advertising that covers 
operating expenses.
  H.R. 3439 makes sure we take a hard look at the consequences of low-
power FM by requiring the FCC to conduct an economic impact study of 
low-power FM on existing broadcasters, with an emphasis on minority and 
small-market broadcasters. This bill also requires the FCC to properly 
conduct tests to prevent broadcast interference.
  I thank my colleague, Mr. Oxley, for introducing this important bill. 
We must ensure all parties affected by low-power FM--existing small and 
independent broadcasters, public radio stations, and radio listeners--
are given the consideration they deserve.

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