[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ``RADIO ALL DIGITAL CHANNEL RECEIVER ACT''

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                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                           of massachussetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the ``Radio All 
Digital Channel Receiver Act.'' This legislation will assure consumers 
that they have seamless access to free, over-the-air digital radio in 
key consumer electronic devices. It will also help to safeguard the 
viability of free, over-the-air radio into the future. I am pleased to 
introduce this bipartisan legislation today with Energy and Commerce 
Committee colleagues Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE), Charlie Gonzalez 
(D-TX), Doug Walden (R-OR), Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Dan Burton (R-IN).
  Madam Speaker, millions of Americans today rely on local broadcast 
radio for news, public safety bulletins, sports, weather, traffic and 
other information. The broadcast radio industry is increasingly 
migrating to digital broadcasting technology that will avail radio 
stations of the ability to transmit CD-quality digital content and 
offer multiple streams of service. This legislation is designed to 
ensure that consumers are able to readily receive such free service 
through consumer electronics systems that are otherwise receiving 
satellite digital audio radio and traditional AM or FM stations.
  The recent merger of the only two satellite radio providers, XM and 
Sirius satellite radio, has underscored the importance of ensuring 
consumer access to a diversity of sources for digital radio content, in 
particular the free radio content originating in their local 
communities. This bill therefore simultaneously seeks to address the 
long-term competitive health of local radio while ensuring that their 
local, digital services are readily received by radio consumers.
  With the 110th Congress in its final days of session, this 
legislation will obviously have to wait until the next Congress for 
action. I look forward to continuing to work with the original 
cosponsors of this bill as well as other Energy and Commerce Committee 
colleagues and other interested members of the House.

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