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For Immediate Release
04/08/08
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Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Stevens Advises FCC and NTIA that DTV Transition Should be Their Top Priority
Commends Chairman Martin on Addressing Concerns of Small Cable Operators |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today advised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce and head of the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Meredith Atwell Baker, that the upcoming digital television (DTV) transition must be their top priority. Senator Stevens expressed his concerns that there is a lack of educational outreach to rural Americans and senior citizens about the DTV transition, but commended Chairman Martin for addressing concerns regarding the undue burden that small cable operators could face if they are required by the FCC to carry both analog and digital signals.
“The digital transition must be the FCC’s number one priority this year. No other issue before the FCC has the same critical countdown as this transition,” said Senator Stevens. “It is crucial that government officials, industry, and consumer advocacy groups increase their outreach efforts to senior citizens and rural Americans. Many Alaskans depend on over-the-air broadcast, and we must ensure that they are prepared for this transition.”
“I think the most important thing we can do is get the word out in more diverse forms,” said Chairman Martin. “I think you are going to see an increase in the frequency by broadcasters and by all the different people the Commission regulates and all the people involved in the transition, with providing increased consumer information.”
Senator Stevens also noted the FCC’s attention to the concerns of small cable operators.
“Mr. Chairman I am pleased to hear the FCC has listened to concerns that have been raised previously regarding the undue burden that small cable operators could face if they are required to carry both an analog and digital signal. The capacity of their systems is so small that such a requirement threatens to put them out of business, resulting in the loss of local jobs and the loss of cable for many viewers in rural parts of the country. I commend and thank the FCC for responding to that issue.”
On February 17, 2009, television broadcasters are mandated to switch from analog to digital television signals. The DTV transition will provide not only clearer pictures and increased programming, but will also free up airwaves for emergency first responders and new wireless communications.
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Full audio of Senator Stevens’ statement can be found here.
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee to Explore Improving Climate Change Modeling
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Improving the Capacity of U.S. Climate Modeling for Decision-Makers and End-Users to be held May 8, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
Climate models allow scientists to understand the dynamics of the climate system and predict the effects of climate change by simulating the interactions...
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| 28th - |
Science Subcommittee Announces NASA Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences Subcommittee hearing on Reauthorizing the Vision for Space Exploration. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
The Subcommittee will consider the issues facing the upcoming reauthorization of the National Aeronautics and Space Admi...
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| 28th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from DOC General Counsel, Assistant Secretary Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Nomination Hearing for Lily Fu Claffee to be General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce and for William J. Brennan to be Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
Nominatio...
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| 25th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Home Lending. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will consider the history and current status of subprime mortgage lending and non-traditional mort...
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| 24th - |
Inouye and Stevens Introduce Measure to Help Prevent Illegal Seafood from Entering U.S.
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), today introduced legislation to close the gaps in United States law that currently allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fish products to enter the country. The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act of 2008 wo...
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee Reports Inouye-Stevens Commercial Seafood Protection Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously reported today S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) would establish a federal program to ensure that seafood distributed commercially in the United States is fit f...
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Resolution Disapproving FCC Rule on Broadcast Media Ownership
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee approved today S.J. 28, a Joint Resolution disapproving a February 22, 2008 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule allowing for increased media consolidation. The resolution, introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), would overturn the FCC ruling (Report and Order FCC 07-216), which allowed for cross ownership of newspapers and broadc...
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| 23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Aviation Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The State of the Airline Industry and the Potential Impact of a Delta/Northwest Merger scheduled for May 7, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
The record high cost of fuel is challenging U.S. air carriers’ ability to achieve continued finan...
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| 22nd - |
Inouye Seeks to Ensure Broadband and the Benefits of the Internet Reach All Americans
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s hearing on the future of the Internet.
“The Internet is one of the great success stories of the 20th century. It has been a key factor in the ability of the United States to steadily improve worker productivity for the past 15 years. Our economy and the quali...
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| 21st - |
FCC Chairman Martin Added to Future of the Internet Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces one additional witness for tomorrow’s Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet. In addition to the previously announced witnesses, the Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will appear before the Committee. The witnesses are listed below.
...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Future of the Internet Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will focus on developing applications, consumer expectations, and network operation.
The Future of the Internet
Full Committee
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ti...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Phantom Traffic Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing purposes.
Phantom Traffic
Full Com...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Moving Passengers and Freight into the Future
- The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Moving Passengers and Freight into the Future: A Review of the Report of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine the Report’s recommendations relating to freight mobility; hig...
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| 17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces April 24 Markup Agenda
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. Committee members will consider:
S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act
S.J. Res 28, A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commiss...
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| 11th - |
Commerce Committee to Explore the Future of the Internet
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet to be held April 22, 2008, at 10 a.m.
The hearing will focus on developing applications, consumer expectations, and network operation.
The Future of the Internet
Full Committee
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Ro...
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| 11th - |
Science Subcommittee to Hold Reauthorization Hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative: Charting the Course for Reauthorization to be held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
Nanotechnology has the potential to be the next great technological revolution. Currently, the federal investmen...
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| 11th - |
Interstate Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Home Lending to be held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at 10:30 a.m.
The hearing will consider the history and current status of subprime mortgage lending and non-traditional mortgage loans execu...
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| 10th - |
Inouye Aims to Ensure Hawaii’s Air Service Remains Strong
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market.
“As an island state, Hawaii is uniquely dependent on commercial aviation. Our state’s economy requires a vibrant air service sector to connect us within the state, to the rest...
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| 10th - |
Inouye Seeks Answers to Recent Airline Safety Gaps
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement at today’s oversight hearing on aviation safety.
“The traveling public has been very fortunate that despite the recent publicized lapses in safety inspections and maintenance, we are currently experiencing the safest period in the history of aviation.
“Safety is th...
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| 10th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Additional Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the addition of two witnesses for a Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market scheduled for today, at 2:30 p.m. The additional witnesses are Mr. Barry Fukunaga, Chief of Staff for Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and Mr. Leslie Murashige, Chief Operating Officer of Islan...
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| 9th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for a Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market scheduled for April 10, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The witness list is below.
The State of Hawaii is uniquely dependent on air service due to its distinctive geography. Recently, Aloha Airlines (Aloha), one o...
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| 8th - |
current Press Release |
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| 8th - |
Inouye Expresses Concern about Coming DTV Transition
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s oversight hearing on the digital television (DTV) transition.
“Our nation relies on television for news, information, and entertainment. Yet with February 17, 2009, only ten months away, too many Americans remain in the dark about what the digital televis...
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| 8th - |
Inouye and Dorgan Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Federal Trade Commission
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to cosponsor the FTC Reauthorization Act of 2008. Introduced today, the measure would reauthorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the first time since 1996.
“I commend Senator Dorgan for his hard work in drafti...
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| 7th - |
CORRECTION: Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Aviation Safety Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced a corrected witness list for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Aviation Safety Oversight to be held April 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. The witnesses are listed below.
Although the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing its safest period in history there have be...
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| 4th - |
Commerce Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today released the witness list for the Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Coal Gasification Technologies and the Need for Large Scale Projects. The witnesses are listed below.
Coal gasification can provide an efficient, clean, and versatile way to generate electricity and other ene...
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| 4th - |
Martin and Baker to Testify at Commerce Committee’s DTV Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin and Commerce Department Acting Secretary for Communications and Information Meredith Attwell Baker will testify at a Full Committee oversight hearing on the digital (DTV) transition.
With the transition less than a year aw...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Hold Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Coal Gasification Technologies and the Need for Large Scale Projects.
Coal gasification can provide an efficient, clean, and versatile way to generate electricity and other energy products from coal as an alternative to traditional gen...
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| 2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Postpones April 2 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Executive Session for Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
The Executive Session has been rescheduled for April 24, 2008, at 10 a.m.
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| 2nd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on International Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., on International Fisheries: Management and Enforcement. The witnesses are below.
The hearing will focus on international fisheries issues, including Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMO’...
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