Group Urges White House to Move on HDTV
 
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
WASHINGTON DC (Microbytes Daily News Service) --- The Bush
administration is coming under increasing criticism for what
advocates of High Definition Television (HDTV) call an
"unwillingness to take a strong lead" in advanced television
technology. More than 100 supporters of HDTV, including senators,
members of the House, and leaders in the industry, have sent a
letter to Bush urging him to take decisive action. Supporters of
HDTV maintain the technology could stimulate not only the
domestic electronics industry but also contribute to both the
defense and medical industries.
 
"We need an HDTV strategy today, not promises of a broader
technology program tomorrow," Rep. Mel Levine (D-CA) told
reporters as he announced details of the letter. The government's
position "seriously handicaps this nation's ability to compete
internationally," Levine said.
 
The administration is being asked to do three things, Senator
John Heinz (R-PA) explained: Report to Congress on the work of
all other nations in the HDTV industry for the past 10 years,
report on the possibility of US companies standing against that
concerted effort; and, should that report be negative, tell the
Congress what can be done to rectify the situation.
 
The HDTV caucus said Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher told
Congress in March that development of HDTV was high on the Bush
administration's list of priorities but that the Secretary was
later rebuked by the White House.
 
More than 25 members of Congress signed the letter, along with
Motorola chairman John Mitchell, Zenith CEO Jerry Pearlman, and
Sematech head Robert Noyce.
 
                              --- Jan Ziff
 
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