Marsha Blackburn

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, life is precious. While some vote, some pray, many others put all their efforts to their beliefs and work to offer women alternative choices to abortion. I am proud to join with organizations like the Hope Clinic for Women as they stand with women throughout Middle Tennessee. I especially congratulate Bob and Janie Yeager as they are honored tonight for their long-standing commitment to the Hope Clinic for Women, at the Hope for the Future Gala. Rejoicing over birth, saddened through miscarriage, burdened by abortion, or excited for adoption, women facing these crucial moments in life find quality assistance and loving guidance at the Hope Clinic. For 26 years, the Hope Clinic has been a place, regardless of social standing, ability to pay, or religious affiliation, for women to receive free pregnancy tests, counseling, free ultrasounds, and medical care. Staff and volunteers don't simply stop with the health and wellbeing of the mother, they step in to provide formula, diapers, clothing, cribs, and strollers to the very least among us. Seeking to advocate total health for women struggling with Post Partum Depression, a partnership with St. Thomas Health Services began in 2008 as well. With open doors and open hearts, the Hope Clinic is also a trusted voice, equipping Middle Tennessee's youth with information about abstinence, healthy life choices, and counseling programs. Whether it's a safe place to call ``home'' for a woman carrying her child, or a sound clinic offering personal medical services regardless of ability to pay, the Hope Clinic for Women serves onsite over 2,000 clients each year, and reaches thousands more in the Middle Tennessee area. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Hope Clinic for Women, and those who continue to support such worthy efforts, for protecting life through every stage.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate Trace Adkins on receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution prestigious Medal of Honor award. In accepting, Trace will add his name next to previous Medal of Honor recipients; including former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Charlton Heston, former U.S. Senator Robert Dole, and fellow recording artist Miss Patti Page. One of the most unique aspects of my service in the United Sates Congress is the opportunity to meet talented and dedicated professionals from across the great State of Tennessee. I have long believed the true greatness of our State and country does not lie in its government or institutions, but solely in the creativity, integrity, and passion of its people. We in Tennessee are fortunate to have one of these individuals who exemplify the volunteer spirit and strive to make our community and our country better every day. Over the years, I have come to know Trace not just as an exceptional artist and performer, but to consider him both a friend and a valued resource. In talking with Trace, his undying love for our country and his genuine support of the brave men and women who currently serve or previously served in the military always stand out. Earlier this year, Trace went to the Pentagon and received special permission for his heartfelt request to perform his song ``Til the Last Shot's Fired'' with the West Point Glee Club. At the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, this performance was not just the highlight of the night, but it allowed Trace to shine a spotlight on the Wounded Warrior Project which provides programs and services for severely injured service members as they transition back to civilian life. President Ronald Reagan said that if we love our country we should also love our countrymen. One of the clearest examples of living daily these words is Trace Adkins. Whether it's through his successful musical career, his faith community, or other ventures, Trace carries in his heart the spirit of what makes America great. I join with his wife Rhonda and their five daughters in offering praise and thanks to Trace on this wonderful occasion. Please join me in congratulating Trace Adkins and his family on this well-deserved award.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to honor Officer Steven Sones for being selected as the Bartlett Police Department's 2009 Officer of the Year. The primary mission of the Bartlett, Tennessee Police Department is to protect and serve the citizens of the community. On April 23, 2009, Officer Steven Sones demonstrated his commitment to mission when he was called to the scene of a mentally disturbed suspect wielding two large kitchen knives and threatening harm to herself and others. As the hours of the intense standoff wore on, the suspect made an abrupt move as if she was going to stab herself. At the moment, the years of dedication, devotion, and training of Officer Sones leaped in as he was able to fire a non-lethal beanbag shot that temporarily disabled the suspect and allowed his fellow officers the opportunity to end the threatening situation without harm to all involved. Officer Sones began his career with Bartlett Police Department in 2001 when he was hired as a jailer for the City. He stayed with the jail until he was selected as a Patrolman in December of 2004 and participates voluntarily in several special units within the Department. His work with the Crime Suppression Unit and the Special Response Team (S.R.T.) has earned him a reputation as one of the best rounded officers in the Department. Please join me in honoring Steven Sones and wishing him and his wife, Elisha, and their two children Abby and Bryce, the best on this well- deserved award.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes due to a natural disaster in my district. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: May 4, 2009. Rollcall vote 243, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1307--Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 244, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1213--Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 245, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1132--Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States--I would have voted ``aye.'' May 5, 2010. Rollcall vote 246, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1320--Attempted Terrorist Attack in Times Square on May 1, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 247, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1272--Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 248, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1301--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day--I would have voted ``nay.'' May 6, 2010. Rollcall vote 249, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 1329-- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5019) to provide for the establishment of the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall vote 250, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1295--Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mothers Day--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 251, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 1722--Telework Improvements Act--I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall vote 252, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Barton of Texas Amendment No. 2--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 253, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Burgess of Texas Amendment No. 4--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 254, on motion to recommit with instructions--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 255, on passage--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Knoxville for yielding the time. I rise today, and all of the people of Tennessee, so many of the families in my district have lost most or even all of what they had. Some have suffered loss of family members, and we express our sympathies to those families. You know, homes are gone, businesses are wiped out, schools are flooded. School is even out for the year in some communities. Roads and bridges are absolutely washed away. And the road back for Tennessee is going to be a very long road. It is going to be difficult, also, but Tennesseans are undaunted. I chose to stay in my district last week. All 15 of my counties are Federal disaster areas, and I wanted to make certain that my staff and I had the opportunity to get into those communities, into those counties, and to assess the needs and make certain that needs were being met. This photo that I am showing you shows the extent of damage in one of the counties, Cheatham County, there in my district. But you know, it could have been taken over in Mr. Davis' district or Mr. Tanner's district or in Mr. Cooper's district. But it shows you what has happened with how roads are completely washed away. This is one of only hundreds and hundreds of roads that have been washed out by the storm. This one, you will see the road actually lies about 60 yards from the roadbed and where it originally was placed. The terrible force of the waters washed it out and onto the foundation of three homes that were completely washed away. While the rain fell, neighbors stepped up to help neighbors, and those who had dry homes took people into those homes. And then, they started to get ready to rebuild. And what they are doing is forming purchasing pools to buy the supplies and help clear the homes and to rebuild those homes. I can't count the number of empty foundations that I saw across the district last week, or the skeletons of churches and homes and businesses that are now sitting on riverbanks. I spoke to residents who have nothing, nothing at all, where their home used to be, some who have only parts of a foundation left. One resident was wearing only the clothes on his back. And he didn't talk about what his needs were or how great his loss was. What he talked about was rebuilding that community. And he talked about how he could replace material goods, but also about the richness of people helping people and coming together. Our local governments, as Mr. Cooper was saying, the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government are responding. Aid that began to hit our urban areas around Nashville and Memphis is now making it out into the rural counties. The road back for those counties is going to be very difficult, but I commend those local elected officials for how they have stepped up, how they had a disaster plan and they also had an implementation plan, and they put it to work and responded in the appropriate way, being there to help all of their local citizens. I commend FEMA and the administration for the aid that I know will eventually come to Tennessee and to our rural communities. And, most of all, I commend the families who once again have displayed why we are the Volunteer State.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating the Bolivar Central High School boy's basketball team for winning the 2010 Class AA State Championship. Less than a year removed from the state semifinals, Bolivar Central High School faced off against their league rivals at Middle Tennessee State University on March 20, 2010 for the State championship. After hundreds of hours of practice and hard work the Tigers were rewarded as they secured the school's third Class AA state championship in a 72-62 win over Liberty. This recognition reflects a dedication to practice, their teammates and their unrelenting commitment to excellence. The team building skills acquired by working together through the highs and lows of the season will benefit these young men for a lifetime of success. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking the parents, Coach Rick Rudesill, faculty of Bolivar Central High School and again congratulating the members of the 2010 State Championship team. I am sure this is not the last we will hear from this talented group of young men.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Watkins College of Art, Design and Film as they celebrate their 125th anniversary. What began as a vision to offer art education to the Mid-South community, came into being 125 years ago, emerging today as Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. Namesake of entrepreneur and philanthropist Samuel Watkins, Watkins College opened its doors in 1885 as Nashville Art Association and began to offer instruction in visual arts. Always one step ahead of the cultural needs of the 20th century, the school assisted immigrants in becoming active members of society, gave women opportunities to enter the workplace with confidence and skill, and offered returning servicemen completion of their high school degrees. With approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in 1977, Watkins became a full college offering associate degrees in fine art and interior design. Adding the Watkins Film School in 1997, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in photography, graphic design and fine art in 2007, Watkins College of Art, Design and Film continues to lead the way in artistic movements and education. Watkins College offers hands-on curriculum, academic roots, and award-winning faculty. Alumni of Watkins College of Art, Design and Film go onto successful careers in their fields. Alumni hold LEED certifications, are small business owners, designers of sacred spaces, makers of film, leaders in their communities, and protectors of art. I am proud of my association with Watkins College and look forward to the many successes of the next 125 years. I congratulate Watkins College on their rich and impactful history and ask my colleges to join me in honoring Watkins College of Art, Design and Film on their 125th anniversary.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Yes.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the chairman for his explanations.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the subcommittee chairman for his explanation, and I associate myself with his remarks. I share the chairman's expectation regarding the importance of collecting and analyzing the data in the spectrum inventory before making decisions about possible spectrum relocation. I'd also like to a add my own expectation that the spectrum inventory will be thorough and scientific in order to serve as an accurate metric of our spectrum use. I have one final question to ask the chairman. The broadband plan includes recommendations regarding reallocation of many of the frequencies currently used to provide broadcast television service. The plan recommends starting with voluntary measures to relocate broadcast stations to different frequencies; But it then hints that other, presumably involuntary, methods of relocating broadcast stations may be necessary. My question, Mr. Chairman, is whether you believe that the FCC should engage in involuntary methods to move broadcasters to different frequencies in order to free up additional spectrum.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Yes.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman from Florida for the time. And, Mr. Chairman, last month the Federal Communications Commission released its National Broadband Plan which contained some very ambitious recommendations with respect to spectrum availability. I would like to ask the subcommittee chairman his views on how the FCC should proceed on the inventory required by this bill and on the recommendations of the broadband plan. Is it the chairman's view that the inventory required by this bill should inform the FCC in its decision-making with respect to the potential reallocation of spectrum sought by the broadband plan?

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I would yield to the gentleman from Virginia and ask permission for the colloquy.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for his diligent work on this bill and also Mr. Stearns for his leadership as we worked through these issues in committee. And I do rise in support of the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act. In committee, I highlighted the importance of listening to the engineers as we move forward on our spectrum inventory. And today I want to talk about the importance of this bill to the wireless industry. America's wireless industry is the undisputed world leader, and Mr. Stearns and Mr. Markey have both highlighted portions of that as we have played with our devices during Mr. Markey's remarks focusing on the innovations that have come our way. Americans pay less per minute for the use of wireless services than users in Europe or Asia. And despite having just 7 percent of the global wireless subscribers, America's wireless companies serve more than 21 percent of global 3G subscribers. Handsets and applications that can be launched anywhere in the world routinely appear in the U.S. market first. Unfortunately, our position in the global marketplace is not something that is guaranteed to us, and without careful attention to support the need of the growth of the wireless industry through the release of additional spectrum, we risk ceding that important leadership to nations that have already identified substantial swaths of spectrum that will be made available for commercial use. That is why the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act is so very important by providing a road map for policymakers regarding where we may find additional spectrum that can be used for wireless broadband services in the U.S. Enactment of H.R. 3125 will help ensure that the U.S. is in a position to match, and hopefully surpass, our trading partners by making additional spectrum available for commercial use. I urge support of the legislation.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, it is so interesting to be a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives at this time. One of the things that makes it most interesting is the issues that we have to deal with, and it boils down to making choices: what are you going to support and what are you going to oppose. The Republicans have supported health reform that would be patient centered. What we saw transpire in this House last weekend was a bill that is government centered and government first. There was a choice of how to move forward with health care, and decisions were made. The Democrat majority chose to put government at the top of health care decisions, government in charge of deciding what kind of health care you can access, what kind of insurance product you can buy, what will be available to buy by the time we get to the year 2013. Those are not decisions that government should make. Those are decisions that should be made by individuals, by small businesses, by employers. And as our phones continue to ring as people find out more and more about the reconciliation bill, they say reconsider, pull the bill back and focus on the economy, focus on jobs and get this Nation on the right track.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I have followed this debate closely. We all have. But I haven't heard a colleague from Massachusetts say, ``In spite of my State's five billion dollar budget deficit, CommonwealthCare is a great model.'' I haven't heard my colleagues from Maine say ``Dirigo covered more people and lowered costs, let's try that approach.'' My colleagues form New Jersey can't say, ``When we passed guaranteed issue laws, costs came down, let's try our model.'' And you certainly haven't heard any of the Tennessee delegation come to the floor and say, ``TennCare was a great success, let's try that!'' You haven't heard these things because my colleagues know what is proposed today has been tried and tried and tried before. It has never worked. The theory sounds good, but the hard facts are that when you gamble that near-term costs will be made up by long-term savings, you always lose. The real losers will be our children and grandchildren who will labor under heavy taxes to finance their own mediocre care. There is a bipartisan collection of Members who know that is the only result of this bill. I hope that we will be a bipartisan majority.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed bill.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues are celebrating the birth of a great new entitlement program today; only they see dependency on the Federal Government and the death of freedom as a cause for celebration. My colleagues celebrate this day as being like the days when Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid were passed. They forget that today those programs are insolvent and will likely crush our children under their debt. My colleagues are overjoyed that soon their goal of having Americans dependent on the Federal Government for mortgages, student loans, retirement, and health care will be realized. That is a chilling goal. My colleagues cheer that this bill is paid for. They ignore the fact that it is our children who will pay for their greed. My colleagues shame us for scaring the American people about the contents of this bill. We know the consequences of this bill will be frightening and horrible. Freedom dies a little bit today. Unfortunately, some are celebrating.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, this year I replaced town hall meetings in my district with listening sessions. I go to hear what my constituents have to teach me and to teach this body. They want us to know that the process matters to them. Some of my colleagues like to say that it doesn't make any difference, but my constituents know that when legislation is negotiated in the backroom, that America loses. They know that in the back rooms, stimulus bills turn into pork bills, bailout bills turn into just more debt, and energy bills turn into taxes. Today, hundreds of Americans are walking the halls of this building, asking us to stop this outrageous government takeover of health care and take health reform step by step and structure a system that lets them out of this broken system, not locks them into it permanently. I hear them, Madam Speaker, and I certainly hope that this Chamber hears them.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I do thank the gentleman from Illinois. It is such an honor for me today to rise in strong support of the resolution to congratulate Ambassador Nancy Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ambassador Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982, and has since built it into the world's leading breast cancer grassroots organization. The Susan G. Komen Foundation awarded $780,000 in research grants in 2008 in my home State of Tennessee, and we are grateful for those grants. Through her advocacy efforts, Ambassador Brinker is to be commended for saving countless lives as a trailblazer fighting for the health of women worldwide, empowering patients, and raising billions in funding for continued breast cancer research. She has worked tirelessly, building an impressive resume of accomplishments, most recently being named the first ever World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control. I commend Ambassador Brinker for standing with all women to raise awareness on the issue of mammography rationing in the health care reform bill and continuing to advocate for increased access to appropriate therapies and screenings for all Americans. Her contributions to society deserve much praise, and each points back to her original goal: to ease suffering and raise awareness to eradicate breast cancer for all, and to honor the memory of her sister. Today, we honor her.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield the gentlewoman 30 additional seconds.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I do rise in support of the resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to see this resolution before us, and I want to commend Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and also Congresswoman Capps for their work on this issue. I appreciate their leadership to raise awareness, and I have grave concerns, very grave concerns on how this issue translates into the health reform bills that are currently before us. While I do rise in support of this, I do think that it is important, it is imperative, as a matter of fact, that we revisit why we are here and why we are having this discussion today. And it's important that we realize that, even with the resolution before us, it is not going to get to the crux of the issue, but it is a good, solid first step. With or without a government-run health plan, H.R. 3962 would still be a massive takeover of health care. Government bureaucrats will be charged with making decisions of what can be in your health plan, and they can make it illegal for a health plan to cover anything not approved by the government. In the House version of the Democrats' health reform, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and its successor organization are cited over a dozen times and given disturbing new authority over coverage decisions regarding breast cancer screening. For example, on page 1,762 of the Democrat health reform bill, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is given the authority to determine, and I'm quoting, ``the frequency'' and ``the population to be served.'' And quoting again from the bill, ``The procedure or technology to be used for breast cancer screenings covered under the Indian Health Service Act.'' Section 303 of H.R. 3962 states that the, and I'm quoting again, ``Commissioner shall,'' which is a mandate, Mr. Speaker, ``shall specify the benefits to be made available under exchange participating health plans.'' In plain English, that means the new health choices commissioner will determine what preventive services, including mammography, are covered under your health insurance based on what the task force says is right. Passing a resolution and passing this resolution before us, as I said, is a good, solid first step. However, I do believe to strike at the heart of the problem we, indeed, need to move forward on a motion to instruct conferees to make certain that we revisit this issue. Under the Democrats' bill, the task force will set government policy and will determine what is covered and make it illegal for plans to cover other items. All recommendations of the Preventive Services Task Force and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services as in existence on the day before the date of the enactment of this act-- which would be H.R. 3962--shall be considered to be recommendations of the Task Force on Clinical Preventive Services. Mr. Speaker, in order to prevent any type of rationing, that is why we need to take even further steps. I commend my colleagues for their diligent work on this issue. It is the right first step, and I encourage all of us to continue to work to resolve the issue. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Myrick), who has been a true champion of women and breast cancer issues and has really led on our side of the aisle as we have worked to deal with so many of these issues.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I think that all of us come here because of our concern, great concern, about women and mammography and the health care issues that are found before us. When it comes to breast cancer, we are very grateful for early detection. We know it's important. Because of that, it is with great sadness that we have read what is in this bill. In H.R. 3962, it clearly shows how the recommendations will limit America's choices and women's choices. Reading through the bill, section 2301 does establish the Task Force on Clinical Preventive Services, and it clearly says that A and B are priority levels for these treatments. You can read on page 1,318, and I do, Mr. Speaker. It says in line 2, the Commissioner shall ensure--shall ensure--that A and B is going to be the rating that is covered, but C is not. What we are discussing in this 40 to 49 age group is those C ratings, and the Commissioner will not have the power to downgrade that decision. Section 222 of the bill--what you have in this resolution is going to be negated by section 222 of the bill that says the services designated A or B priority are part of the essential benefits package. So just saying that the guidelines would not prohibit an insurer from providing coverage, your own legislation is going to end up negating that, if that is signed into law. The language of this bill is clear. All insurance providers must offer A and B priority services. They have no incentive or a mandate to offer priority C or below. That is where it affects women under 50 and women over age 75, and those, indeed, are valuable lives. Mr. Speaker, we do look at this legislation. We look at section 2301 where it says that, All recommendations of the Preventive Services Task Force and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, as in existence on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall be considered to be the recommendations of the Task Force on Clinical Preventive Services. At that point, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, they are going to have the full weight of law behind them. It is in the bill. Yes, we look at this, and we see the bureaucrat in the exam room right here. We look at it, and we all know and have loved and have held family members in our arms that have been affected and would have lost their lives had they not had access to early detection. It concerns us. Do not ration health care. Support the resolution, but let's go further in getting out of the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I do thank the gentleman from Nebraska, and I am thrilled to stand today in support of the Local Community Radio Act. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that I've been engaged in since my days in the Tennessee State Senate. In an age of consolidating radio stations and a competitive marketplace for airtime, this legislation will allow smaller groups to be heard. Indeed, Chairman Boucher has mentioned this, as has Mr. Terry; and it is an important reason for having this low-power radio act available for our communities. Whether we are talking about the aspiring blues performer in Memphis or whether we are talking about an up-and-coming country star in Nashville or whether we are talking about one of our colleges or universities which is getting on the air and showcasing some of its local talent or some of its personalities--or maybe it is some of our religious organizations or churches--it is a way for them to spread their messages. This legislation does give a crucial voice to these communities. I was pleased that Mr. Boucher mentioned small businesses that are owned by women and the number of women that we have seen move into the communications field because they had the ability to get to low-power stations and to develop formats in programming that will help them to launch a dream and actually innovate for our airwaves. We have heard from a wide range of groups. They do stand in support of this. It is a pleasure to stand and support the bill. I urge this Chamber to move forward on passing this legislation.