[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN SUPPORT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

  (Mr. BURR of North Carolina asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
an exciting new technology. Local television broadcasters across the 
country are undertaking their biggest advancement in years: The 
transition to digital television. Digital TV opens the doors to new 
possibilities, like High Definition TV, interactive television, and 
expanded programming options.
  In my district, we are already served by several stations 
transmitting a digital signal. I am proud of my hometown broadcasters, 
like WXII, which is owned by Hearst-Argyle. These stations are leading 
the charge into the digital future.
  These TV stations are small businesses, like others. They have made 
substantial investments in new transmitting facilities, new production 
equipment, and, in some cases, new broadcast towers. Collectively, the 
industry has invested over $1 billion in this new technology.
  While local broadcasters are doing their part to propel the digital 
television transition forward, we have yet to see all the pieces of 
this come together in place. I believe the transition will accelerate 
once cable companies begin to carry digital signals. Seventy percent of 
U.S. households receive their TV through cable. We need that signal as 
digital.
  I hope that Congress can work with these differing groups, 
broadcasters and cable operators and other interested parties, on the 
remaining issues. Until then, however, I remain fully confident that 
the future of television is digital, and I believe the future is 
bright.

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