Aug, 3. 2010 10:26AM CHAKAFATIAH 2ND OI"''''C1', hNNS'lt.VANlA WAtft\NOrON Qmcl: 2IOt ft.......uIlN HOU'I OHlCl8\nLDING W,uHlNlITON, OC 206111 1201, 22$-4G01 DltTllICTOmcU: 41(14W~f/fm •• ~IA.PA '1'04 1211t 311-6104 ti&U alllMIIlHTOWN " ....NUI f'tl1v-oa.rtflA, PA '91"& (11&)"'''')11 .. • ~ongre!!of tbe~niteb~tatei ~OUilt:ot ll.tpreUtntl1tibtil No. 1751 p, 1 COMt,.lITTtHo COMMInEE ON APPROPRIATIONS toWd~.Jutmt.SCtGl04. AND "'lATED ",OIHCIM SUICCU,1Mm'11 '~AAIIIW,,:rMDIYILOJ'MI,.,.I SuICOMt04n-r-. FlNAltQAL $M'ACUANO Gf:NlAAL GOVIflNMINf Ii\lICOM'trnu Facsimile TRANSMITTAL DATE:=-:I'--"-~..,.....,.""----------- TO:_____--+-.L--"";,.,;:,..~...::L~=_'_"=~=__ FROM: . . # OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:._t-- _ ~OMM~NTS::#~.£~~. VChaka Fattah [] Michelle Anderson-Lee o Debra Anderson~ukuOforl o Elizabeth King [] Brenden Chalnay . o Keyshana Williams .[] Intern, ----, _ SUBJECT: CtfMl>rlAt-~BC.'S~~. RECIPIENT'S FAX #: «.. Ifthere Ia • problem or q.....tlon obout Ibo Inn.mlsslon 0'IbIB documoni. plea.."UQ2,225.-IOOI. Th. Inlormallon conlalnod In thll lran,mlnlon may be ""nftd.nU.1. W\he relder of thl. me...ge Is nollhe Inlandod recipient 'IOU 8re b8Nlly no,mld lII'l.ny.....mln.llon dlslribuUon or dupllcallon of till. communloollon Is 8lrtcUy problbll.d 'RiNlID ON "levellD rAPI!ft Aug, 3. 2010 10:23AM d[:ongrus of 11ft lltniltb .lalts 1Jllslfhtglou, JQL 20515 July 28, 2010 The Honorable Julius Oenachowsld ChaiItllan Fedel'&1 Communications Commission 445 12 11I Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Oenachowski: No, 1750 p, 1 The pU1]lose ofthis letter is to express our support for the pl'Oposed joint venture between Corncast C0111oration (Comcast) and Oeneral Electric (GE) as they seek to create a stronger and more vibrant NBC Universal (NBCU). This transaction offers to AmeriCIl'S minority communities one ofthe most comprehensive set ofbusiness opportunities in the histoI}' ofthe communications industIY. We believe that Comcast, a quintessential American success stoI}', will be a trusted steward ofthe NBCU assets and a corporate leader for diversity in the indusl1:y, and that they will set a model for others to follow. Since its founding by Ralph Roblll'ls in 1963, Comcast has proven to be a responsible, community-minded corporate citizen that has developed a strong relationship with diverse communities through its dedication to promote diversity in programming, employment. and procurement. Comcast is an industry leader in providing diverse programming. distributing over 130 broadcast and cable networks geared toward minority communities. The Comcasl On Demand platform has also provided programming opportunities to services like Hip Hop on Demand and Black Cinema on Demand, Inaddition, Corncast can be dCSlll"Vedly pl'Oud ofits role in helping to launch TVOne, a new cable/satellite television netwol"!( that offers pl'Ogramming for plimarily African American adults. Moreover, 40 percent ofComcast's approximately 100,000 employees today are minority and 24 percent are African American, making Corncast one ofthe country's largest employers ofpeople ofcolor, particularly African Americans, The company's supplier diversity program continues to grow, reaching nearly $1 billion in goods and slllvices contracted with minority and women owned businesses in 2009 alone. Year after year. Comcast has been recognized for its diversity performance in both employment and procurement. Inconnection with this proposed transaCtion, Comcast bas volunteered anumber ofimpOItant diversity-related commitments. which it has enhanced through a series ofagreements with national diversity leaders. In addition, people ofcolor will have a full opportunity to participate inthe bidding for a broadcast television station in Los Angeles that will be sold by NBCU. The new cable networks in which people of color are substantial owners will have unprecedented programming oppol1Unities. Expandmg on its oliginal public interest commitments. Corneast will now add ten independClltly owned and operated cable networks to its cable systems over the next. eight years after the · Aug. 3. 2010 10:23AM No. 1750 P. 2 closing ofthis transaction. At least eight ofthese ten new networks will have amajority minority ownership interest, and at least four ofthese networks will be networks in which African Americans have a majority ownership interest. Corneast has also committed to help owners ofdiverse content use its innovative On Demand and On Demand Online platforms to reach niche audiences. Significantly, Comcast has announced that it will establish aventure capital fund to create opportunities for minority entrepreneurs to facilitate early stage financing ofminority businesses in this new media environment. And finally, in order to advise and monitor the company in its efforts to deliver on these commitments, Comcast has announced that it will create a model Joint Diversity Advisory Council. The breadth ofthese commitments, which extend to nearly every aspect ofthe company's business, is unlike the practice of any American media, entertainment and communications company, When added to the numerous other public interest benefits ofthis transaction, including delivering the digital media future faster and strengthening the role oftraditional local broadcasting. the case £01' timely federal approval ofthis transaction is very powerful. Comcast's recognition ofthe opportunities that this transaction can provide to minority communities, coupled with its public interest and diversity commitments,lead us to support this transaction and recommend its approval, Sincerely, Q,~jJt --- Aug. 3. 201 0 10:23 AM No. 1750 P. 3