[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       UNITED RADIO BROADCASTERS

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, today I wish to briefly discuss 
some of the amazing efforts broadcasters have made and are currently 
undertaking not due to government mandates or regulation, but rather as 
stewards of the public airwaves and as proud members of their local 
communities.
  We all know how my home State and our gulf neighbors were ravaged by 
the 2005 hurricane season. What many do not realize however is that our 
local broadcasters performed heroically during this traumatic time. 
Despite personal losses and risks to their own safety, broadcasters 
worked feverishly to keep their signals on the air before, during, and 
after these devastating storms. Their efforts in the wake of Hurricane 
Katrina literally proved to be a life line to many victims who were 
stranded by the storm.
  Even when towers did go down during Katrina, the citizens of 
Louisiana witnessed a rare phenomenon in today's world. Radio 
broadcasters, who were competitors just the day before, banded together 
combining resources and personnel to establish the United Radio 
Broadcasters of New Orleans. By putting aside self interests, the 
United Radio Broadcasters were able to keep the citizens of Louisiana 
up to date with vital and even life saving information.
  Today, we continue to see similar efforts benefiting communities 
across the country. For example, in a recent edition of Radio Guide, 
there is an inspiring article about steps one broadcaster is taking to 
improve its connection to the local community in times of need. Clear 
Channel has unveiled a series of emergency response teams that can be 
deployed to areas hit by natural disasters. Specifically, these teams 
operate as radio stations on wheels. Armed with mobile towers, 
generators, satellite/Internet connectivity, and other radio 
infrastructure needs, they have the ability to keep a station on the 
air even if the station's permanent studio or tower is knocked out of 
commission. Some of these emergency assets were successfully deployed 
in Baton Rouge during Hurricane Gustav last month. While it is my hope 
that these capabilities rarely, if ever, have to be used, it is 
comforting to know they are at the ready.
  This endeavor and similar investments being made by broadcasters 
across the country represent a strong commitment to serving local 
communities. While many here in Washington want to increase the level 
of regulation placed upon local broadcasters, I would point out that 
the examples I spoke of today were not dictated from some federal 
agency. Rather, these efforts were voluntarily undertaken by the men 
and women who are committed to serving the needs of their local 
listeners.

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