MORE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE SIRIUS/XM MERGER Diverse Group of Representatives See Merger as Strengthening Program Diversity PRNewswire In a letter sent to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, eleven Members of Congress voiced their support for the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio. Their letter further underscores the two companies' commitment to enhancing diverse programming and the benefits a merger will bring to minority consumers.
The letter was signed by: Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY). In their letter to Chairman Martin, the lawmakers identified a "plethora of choices" in the audio entertainment market that compete with satellite radio, adding that enabling the two companies to merge will enhance "innovative and diverse content, jobs and business partnering opportunities."
They also extolled the numerous consumer benefits derived from satellite radio that would be improved with the synergies achieved from a merger of XM and Sirius, stating,
"...the merger of Sirius and XM will create new opportunities for this type of diverse programming that has been overlooked by terrestrial-radio broadcasters. This merger will allow the companies to offer even more diverse content by consolidating programming and better utilizing capacity to offer even more unique and diverse programming to currently underserved populations."
They further noted, "we firmly believe that allowing these satellite-radio companies to merge...is in the public interest."
The "ardent support" of these Members of Congress is added to the chorus of voices from others who endorse the merger including groups representing minority communities; rural organizations; women's organizations; other lawmakers, corporations, consumer groups; and private citizens including: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Americans for Tax Reform, Independent Women's Forum, Parents Television Council, Heritage Foundation, American Trucking Associations, Charlie Daniels, Toyota Motor Corporation and Circuit City Stores, Inc. among others.
To read the Congressional letter of support, please visit www.siriusmerger.com or www.xmmerger.com. |