Landrieu Proposes Broadcasters As First Responders Bill

Sen. Landrieu

Sen. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA) thanked the breakfast audience at NAB2007 for broadcasters' help in the aftermath of Hurricane KATRINA, adding "I can't tell you how much we appreciate it... If it wouldn't have been for the broadcasters, I'm not sure that the story would ever have gotten out." 

LANDRIEU noted the efforts of broadcasters in delivering help after the storm hit as well as in helping evacuate the city of NEW ORLEANS ("85% of the people who could have gotten out got out in the first 24 hours"). 

LANDRIEU is sponsoring a "Broadcasters As First Responders Act" to designate broadcasters as first responders in emergencies and is also pushing for grants to encourage advance planning by broadcasters for disaster response. Sen. TED STEVENS (R-AK) is co-sponsoring the bill, which is being introduced in the Homeland Security committee, and a companion bill is being introduced in the House. 

Briefly touching on other issues, LANDRIEU said that the XM-SIRIUS merger "shouldn't take place," a comment that drew applause from the gathering.

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