At a time when broadcasters seem to be under siege from members of the telecom, MVPD and recording industries, it is good to know that bipartisan members of Congress have our back. Here, in particular, is what Hank Johnson (D-GA) had to say.
Johnson’s comments were part of a thank you to the broadcast industry as some 600 were in Washington for the NAB State Leadership Conference.
It also coincided with the fact that broadcasters were providing citizens on Johnson’s state with important local information as yet another barrage of winter weather was bombarding the state.
Johnson took to the House floor to deliver this message:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally recognize the contribution of broadcasters across the country and from my home state of Georgia. Every community is impacted by broadcasters, the individuals who have dedicated their lives to disseminating important information by radio and television. “As north Georgia prepares for snow, ice and sleet today and tonight – broadcasters are my constituents’ go-to source for the latest on road conditions, power outages and school closings. We turn to broadcasters first- whether we are in our cars listening to the radio, or watching the news on television at home.
“There are over 500 local radio and television stations in Georgia. In 2014 alone, local radio and television stations in Georgia produced over 50,000 hours of original over-the air news programming, representing an increase from 2013. Broadcasters have created over 85,000 jobs in Georgia and the radio and television industry had an economic impact on Georgia of over $39 billion in 2012.
“I yield back the balance of my time.”
Also delivering positive comments were:
Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
Rick Crawford (R-Ark)
Ted Poe (R-TX)
David Cicilline (D-R.I.)
Blake Farenthold (R-TX)
RBR-TVBR observation: Thanks! Just thanks!
