[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E888]]
                        TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE

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                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2003

  Mr. BURR. Mr. Speaker, on February 20, 2003, the Federal 
Communications Commission agreed to change its rules to make it easier 
for telephone companies to deploy broadband facilities. It is now May, 
and the FCC has yet to issue the actual rules from that decision.
  On February 20, Washington, DC was still digging out from a major 
snowstorm, and most area schools were still closed. By the time the FCC 
issues its order, Washington weather will probably be that lovely mix 
of high humidity and 90 degree heat. When the FCC voted on February 20, 
we were wearing our heavy winter coats and snow boots. By the time the 
order is issued, we will be wearing seersucker suits and white shoes.
  On February 20, Major League Baseball players were just beginning to 
gather in Florida and Arizona for spring training. Since then, spring 
training has been completed, rosters have been finalized, and about 20 
percent of the season has been played.
  On February 20, U.S. forces were amassing in the Persian Gulf Region. 
Since then, our troops have rolled through Iraq and ousted Saddam. 
Clearly, it takes the U.S. military less time to dethrone a vicious 
dictator than it takes the FCC to write the rules for an order it 
already agreed upon.
  How long do you think these past two-and-a-half months have been for 
those workers and families of workers laid off in the 
telecommunications industry? How many more workers lost their jobs in 
that time? How many who were laid off could have been put back to work?
  One thing is clear, broadband deployment will not start in earnest 
until the FCC sets the right policy rules. That has to start now by 
issuing the rules agreed upon back in February.

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