MARK POCAN 2ND DISTRICT, WISCONSIN COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET Received Ij. Inspected UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 EA'ST DOTY SH~U.. t. SUITE 405 MAlW,(iN. WI 53703 1608) 258-9800 313 CANNON HOI hi O. liCE BUILDING WASHINGTON. DC 20515 (202) 225-2906 POCAN.HOUSE',GOV Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Acting Chairwoman Clyburn, August 2, 2013 I am writing to express my support for AM radio, and to encourage the Commission to explore ways to revitalize this important service. AM radio plays an important role in the lives of listeners, in towns both large and small across the country. AM stations provide access to local, community-oriented information, such as coverage of high school sports, church services, local politics, news and weather updates, and provide an advertising outlet for local businesses. AM radio is particularly important in small or rural communities. Your colleague Commissioner Ajit Pai recently praised WRDN, located in Durand, Wisconsin. For almost six years, residents in Durand lacked any local radio service, until Brian and Karla Winnekins purchased WRDN's license and brought it back on the air in April 2012. WRDNis the only local radio station serving the residents of Durand, Mondovi, and Alma, Wisconsin, and these residents are thrilled to once again have local radio coverage of their undefeated high school football team and local events like the Pepin County Fair. Like many AM radio stations across the country, WRDN is a lifeline for local news and information, especially during emergencies. For example, during the tornado outbreak in Joplin, Missouri two years ago, mobile phone service and the Internet were virtually wiped out. In contrast, radio stations provided around-the-clock, continuous coverage of the disaster. KZRG-AM stayed on the air for nine consecutive days with life-saving information and safety instructions. AM radio stations provided similarly heroic service during the recent tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Today, AM radio faces difficult challenges. In 1978, AM radio represented about 50 percent of all radio listening. By 20 I0, that figure had dwindled to 17 percent. Moreover, the number of AM radio stations has decreased since 1990, while the number of FM stations has almost doubled. My understanding is that signal quality and widespread interference significantly impact AM listening. Listeners must be able to access a clear, crisp signal if AM radio stations are going to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive 'media marketplace. Beyond addressing interference'problems, there may be a host of potential ways to help improve AM radio, both in the short term and on a more permanent basis. As the residents ofDurand, Wisconsin know well, AM radio service isjust too valuable a resource not to support. Accordingly, I would strongly encourage you to work with your colleagues to quickly initiate a proceeding to investigate any and all options for revitalizing AM radio service, for the benefit of all Americlifi~.PteiiSe keep me posre