[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING UNC TV MANAGER TOM HOWE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 
contributions of one of North Carolina's most tenacious and visionary 
leaders: Tom Howe.
  Many North Carolinians might not recognize Tom's name, but they 
surely have seen his work. Tom is the Director and General Manager of 
UNC-TV, our state's highly respected public television network. Last 
month, he received the Governors' Award for Lifetime Achievement from 
the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of the National Academy of Television 
Arts and Sciences. This prestigious Emmy award is given annually to 
recognize an ``outstanding industry leader,'' a designation that fits 
Tom perfectly.
  For more than a decade, Tom has presided over our state's 11-station 
public television network, bringing us comprehensive coverage of public 
affairs and a deepened understanding of North Carolina's past, present, 
and future.
  I have had the privilege of working with Tom in the policy arena. He 
fought a courageous and somewhat lonely battle for years for equitable 
treatment for UNC-TV and other systems similarly situated from the 
Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting System. 
The successful resolution of this matter is still yielding benefits and 
will for years to come. More recently, Tom has spoken out effectively 
on the preservation of localism and community standards on our airwaves 
in the context of the Federal Communications Commission's decision on 
media concentration.
  Tom has been ahead of the curve in television's digital conversion, 
anticipating industry trends and leading the way in innovative 
technology. Not only has he beaten the FCC deadline for digital 
conversion, he has also brought 4-channel multicasting to UNC-TV, 
ensuring even greater coverage and enhanced educational opportunities 
for viewers. His dedication and persistence have ensured that UNC-TV 
continues to be an exemplary network, both in terms of the technology 
he utilizes and the programs he broadcasts.
  Tom Howe knows television, and he uses the power of the medium to 
effect positive change: to inform, to educate, and to bring viewers the 
kind of meaningful programming that is increasingly hard to find. I 
congratulate him for this well-deserved award, and I thank him for his 
commitment and leadership.

                          ____________________