[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 20 (Monday, February 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             DTV DELAY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2009

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, the question of whether to delay the 
transition to digital television is important and deserves thoughtful 
consideration. But today's debate misses a key point that will affect 
many Vermonters, many Americans, living in rural areas: once the 
transition to digital television is completed, even if every household 
in America has a DTV converter box, many TVs simply will not work.
  Reception of a digital television signal is an ``all-or-nothing'' 
proposal: rural areas that currently receive a weak analog TV signal 
may receive no digital signal at all. For many people across Vermont 
and across the country, this transition does not represent a step 
forward, but a step backward. I am particularly concerned about the 
many elderly viewers living in rural areas; for them, television is a 
lifeline that provides information and entertainment.
  We know that this problem is out there. In order to ensure that all 
our constituents have access to broadcast television, we need to do one 
or all of three things: increase digital television broadcast signal 
range; increase the ability of viewers to receive the signal through 
antennae; or increase access to low-cost cable or satellite television.
  If there were an easy answer, this problem would most likely have 
already been solved. But the problem persists, and it must be 
addressed. I look forward to working with Chairman Waxman as well as 
you, Chairman Boucher, to ensure that rural Americans maintain access 
to television broadcast over the public airwaves.

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