November 16, 2000
President William Jefferson Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20500
Dear President Clinton:
We write to thank you for your unwavering support for low power radio despite efforts to drastically curtail it in Congress. We appreciate inclusion of low power radio in your veto message with respect to the Commerce, Justice, State appropriation bill and urge you to stand firm.
Low power radio is one of the most significant initiatives ever adopted to give American citizens the opportunity to use the public airwaves.
The language included in the Commerce appropriation bill would reduce the number of low power radio stations by 60-80 percent and would allow only those in the most remote portions of the county to utilize low power radio.
Claims that interference will harm current broadcasts are a red herring that fly in the face of rigorous technical analysis submitted to, and conducted by, the Federal Communications Commission.
As leaders of public interest, religious, and civil rights organizations, we are particularly concerned that we gain an opportunity to improve the level of media discourse by adding our voices to those already on the airwaves.
We ask you to continue your support as the budget negotiations continue. Low power radio is an important legacy of this Administration that will promote diversity, democracy, and stronger communities across the Nation.
Sincerely,
Emily Sheketoff
American Library Association |
Richard Cizik
National Association of Evangelicals |
Morton Bahr
Communications Workers of America |
David Pomeroy
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. |
Keith R. Krueger
Consortium for School Networking |
Carol Pierson
National Federation of Community Broadcasters |
Sharon Maeda
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church |
Juan Otero
National League of Cities |
Wade Henderson
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights |
Edward Mierzwinski
Public Interest Research Group |
Andrew Jay Schwartzman
Cheryl A. Leanza
Media Access Project |
Rev. Robert Chase
United Church of Christ, Office of Communication |
