AL LAWSON 1337 LONGWORTH House OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 5TH DISTRICT, fLORIOA (202) 225--0123 (202) 225-2256 - FAX COMMITIEE ON AGRICULTURE 1010 DAVIS STREET #206 ~ongress of tbe Wniteb ~tates JACKSONVILLE, FL 32209 COMMITIEEON (904) 354-1652 (904) 379-0309 - FAX SMALL BUSINESS j!)ouse of l\epresentattbe.s' RANKING MEMBER 435 NORTH MACOMB STREET SUBCOMMITTEE ON TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301 HEALTH ANO TECHNOLOGY mta~bington , 1iot 20515- 0905 (850) 558-9450 (850) 577-0633 - FAX htlp://www.lawson.house.gov July 12, 2018 550 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 4555 Twelfth Street SW Washington DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai, Given the Internet's fundamental role in American society, recent efforts to expand highspeed broadband are important and shou ld be supported. However, these efforts should not come at the expense of prior contractual obligations, customer satisfaction, or public safety. In light of the Commission's consideration of One Touch Make Ready (OTMR) proposals, the Commission should ensure that any OTMR proposal it considers does not interfere with the contracts of line workers and that the collective bargaining agreements of these employees continue to be honored. The line workers already under contract have the expertise necessary to ensure that this potentially dangerous job is done safely and correctly. I also request that the Commission ensure any OTMR proposal considered will provide continuous service for customers and the safety of workers and the public. It is difficult to overstate the importance of a fast, free, and open Internet. Americans everywhere depend on it for their work, their education,, and in their day to day activities. We cannot entrust critical infrastructure improvements to anyone other than the most qualified professionals, particularly when American jobs and American lives are at stake. I look forward to working with the FCC to make sure communities across North Florida have fa ir and adequate access to the Internet. Sincerely, Al Lawson United States Congressman PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER