[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S4808]]
SENATE RESOLUTION 576--DESIGNATING AUGUST 2008 AS ``DIGITAL TELEVISION 
                      TRANSITION AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Biden, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. 
Cornyn, Mr. Burr, Mr. Tester, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Schumer, 
Mr. Durbin, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Coleman, Ms. 
Cantwell, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Craig, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Specter, Ms. 
Landrieu, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Ms. 
Snowe, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Crapo, and Mr. Wicker) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 576

       Whereas, starting February 17, 2009, full-power television 
     stations will shut down their traditional analog signals and 
     will broadcast in digital only pursuant to the Digital 
     Television Transmission and Public Safety Act of 2005 (47 
     U.S.C. 309 note);
       Whereas some studies indicate that 64 percent of consumers 
     know about the transition to digital television, and of those 
     consumers 74 percent have major misconceptions about the 
     impact of the transition on their television services;
       Whereas many consumers who will be left without any 
     television service after February 17, 2009, may be unaware of 
     both the transition and the Government coupon program created 
     to defray the cost of a converter box;
       Whereas markets in the West and in Mid-West have the 
     highest percentage of consumers who rely on over-the-air 
     television signals;
       Whereas the Salt Lake City, Utah, area has the single 
     highest percentage of consumers who rely on over-the-air 
     television signals among major cities in the United States, 
     with nearly 23 percent of all households with television 
     sets, more than 200,000 homes, relying on free analog 
     television signals;
       Whereas more than 20 percent of homes with television sets 
     in Fresno, California, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, also rely 
     solely on free over-the-air television signals;
       Whereas the transition to digital television is significant 
     to vulnerable populations such as senior citizens and low-
     income and minority households; and
       Whereas designating a ``Digital Television Transition 
     Awareness Month'' will help Congress to encourage the 
     development of local action plans focused on strategic 
     outreach to the communities most affected by the transition 
     to digital television, including senior citizens and 
     residents of rural areas: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 2008 as ``Digital Television 
     Transition Awareness Month''--
       (A) to increase public awareness regarding the February 17, 
     2009, transition to digital television; and
       (B) to encourage consumers to become educated about 
     participating in the Government coupon program for obtaining 
     converter boxes;
       (2) encourages consumers to make the transition to digital 
     television well before February 17, 2009, so that consumers 
     have time to obtain and connect converter boxes; and
       (3) encourages local nonprofit organizations, such as 
     religious congregations, scout troops, and school-based 
     community service groups--
       (A) to assist households to apply for and obtain Government 
     coupons and converter boxes and to install converter boxes; 
     and
       (B) to educate consumers about Internet websites and other 
     sources of valuable information regarding the transition to 
     digital television.

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce with my good 
friend from Minnesota, Senator Amy Klobuchar, S. Res. 576, which would 
designate August 2008 as Digital Television Transition Awareness Month.
  Pursuant to the Digital Television Transmission and Public Safety Act 
of 2005, starting on February 17, 2009, full-power television stations 
will shut down their traditional analog signals and will broadcast in 
digital only. Concentrating efforts to educate consumers well in 
advance about both the upcoming transition and their options will 
ensure as smooth a transition as possible. That is why Senator 
Klobuchar and I, along with dozens of original cosponsors, have 
introduced this resolution today.
  I believe that the month of August is a perfect time to highlight the 
ongoing educational efforts about the transition to digital television 
next year. After all, we want to encourage those who will need to take 
some action to do so now, rather than wait until the last moment.
  Several studies indicate that many consumers who will be left without 
any television service after February 17, 2009, may be unaware of the 
transition and the Government coupon program created to defray the cost 
of converter boxes. While 64 percent of consumers know about the 
transition to digital television, 74 percent of that group has major 
misconceptions about the impact of the transition on their television 
services. The transition to digital television is especially 
significant to vulnerable populations such as senior citizen, low-
income, and minority households.
  I note that television markets in the West and Midwest have the 
highest percentage of consumers who rely on over-the-air television 
signals. In Utah alone, Salt Lake City has the highest percentage of 
homes in a major metropolitan area, with almost one in four relying on 
free analog television signals.
  The Federal Communications Commission, FCC, recently adopted a 
proposal to educate consumers about the impending transition. In 
addition, there are many sources of information on the transition, 
coupon program and consumer options available on the Internet. These 
Web sites are comprehensive and provide links to the Government coupon 
program site where consumers must register to receive the coupons. 
However, these sites do not reach certain populations, those most 
likely to be affected by the transition, as effectively.
  Congress can and should do more, not only to educate consumers, but 
also to foster local outreach programs to assist these consumers as 
they obtain coupons or choose and install converter boxes. Designating 
August 2008 as Digital Television Transition Awareness Month, timed 
specifically to take advantage of the congressional recess, will place 
particular emphasis on educating consumers well in advance of the 
transition, and will be an integral part of the overall educational 
program endorsed by the FCC.
  I hope that this resolution will be passed and my colleagues will 
join me in doing all they can to make the transition from analog to 
digital television easier for those most affected across our Nation.

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