[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
  THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL RADIO AND REINTRODUCTION OF THE LOCAL RADIO 
                              FREEDOM ACT

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
significant benefits and services that our local radio stations provide 
to our communities.
  I cannot say enough about the benefits local radio provides 
constituents in our district in Houston and Harris County, Texas. Local 
radio provides AMBER Alerts, local news, weather, and critical 
emergency alerts, which we all know too well along the gulf coast we 
need. In addition to the public service, radio provides entertainment 
and music free to the public.
  For nearly 90 years, Congress has recognized this fact and has not 
imposed performance fees on local radio stations. That is why I am 
pleased to reintroduce, along with my fellow Texan, Congressman Mike 
Conaway, the Local Radio Freedom Act, H. Con. Res. 17.
  Our simple resolution simply states that Congress should not impose 
any performance taxes or fees for playing over-the-air music and keep 
local radio free. Last week's introduction with 93 cosponsors, over 20 
percent of the full House, shows the strong commitment Congress has to 
protect local radio and all the benefits it provides our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the original cosponsors of this 
resolution and thank local radio for serving our communities.

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