[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6096]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              MORE JOBS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Department of 
Justice and SBC Communications for reaching an agreement which resolves 
the Department's antitrust concerns about SBC's pending merger with 
Ameritech. This agreement brings consumers one step closer to more 
options, lower prices and more substantial jobs in the 
telecommunications industry. The intent of the 1996 Telecommunications 
Act was to bring more competition to the telecommunications industry 
and this merger would be a good step towards a more competitive 
marketplace.
  I commend SBC and Ameritech for their commitment to American workers. 
This proposed merger has the support of the AFL-CIO, the Communications 
Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical 
Workers. SBC and Ameritech have committed to these labor unions that 
this merger will increase, not decrease, the number of good jobs in the 
telecommunications industry. SBC has already proven itself. Despite 
some critics' concerns, since SBC merged with Pacific Telesis, 
residential and business prices for basic local service in California 
have remained stable. In the meantime, SBC has also introduced new 
products and services and has created more than 2000 new jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the FCC to move quickly in approving this merger 
and to enforce the Congressional intent of the 1996 Telecommunications 
Act to lower prices, provide more choices for consumers and create new 
jobs in the industry.

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