.I~~I3 I lnll
fCC Mail Room
The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th treet, S. W.
Washington. D.C. 20554
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY
ORGANIZATION (NATOI
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMITTEES:
HEALTH
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
OV[RSIGHf AND INVESTIGATIONS
January 25, 20 I I
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MIKE ROSS
FOURTH DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WASHINGTON
2436 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
, -800-223-2220
12021225-3772
(202) 225-1314 FAX
Dcar Chairman Gcnachowski:
As you may know, I have been working in Congress to bring greater choice to television
viewers in so-called "orphan counties" with no access to in-state broadcasting. Two years ago. I
introduced the Local Television Freedom Act 01'2009, which ultimately led to the study you are
now conducting regarding orphan counties. I am writing to you today to reemphasize how
important this issue is to my district and the peoplc I represent.
My constituents are Arkansans and are typically most intcrested in news, weather, and sports
from Little Rock. However. for rea ons I have never fully understood, seven counties in my district
are located in the Shrcveport. Louisiana DMA and two counties are located in the Monroe,
Louisiana DMA.
This means that thousands of my constituents receive Louisiana news, wcather, and sports.
Ilmeans that, on Fall Saturdays, thcy have to watch LSU Tigers football rather than Arkansas
Razorbacks football.
When I return to my district each week, I hear about a variety of issues, but I can assure you
that no issuc resonates in my district morc than the quc tion of why they are forced to watch
Louisiana television. Unfortunately, I have never been able to givc thcm a good answer.
As you prepare your report, I ask you to kecp my constitucnts in mind. I hope to find in
your report specific recommendations for Congress that wc can use to create legislation incrcasing
the numbcr of local choiccs available to television viewers in orphan countics.
Mikc Ross
HOT SPRINGS
300 EXCHANGE STREET
SUITE A
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR 71901
(501) 520-5892
(501) 520-5873 FAX
PINE BLUFF
GEORGE HOWARD JR. FEDERAL BUILDING
100 EAST 8TH AVENUE
ROOM 2521
PIN!':- BLUFF, AR 71601
(870) 536-3376
(870) 536-4058 FAX
EL DORADO
UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE
SUITE 406
101 NORTH WASHINGTON
El DORADO, AR 71730
(870)881--0681
(870)881-0683 FAX
PREscon
221 WEST MAIN STREET
PRESCOTT, AR 71857
18701887-6787
(870) 887-6799 FAX
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