. >> the ranking democrat on the committee, anna eshoo, the subcommittee hearing will be examining this morning the laws on the satellite tv industry. you saw michael powell, the former chairman of the s.e.c. and now president and c.e.o. of the national cable and elecommunications association. >> grelling walden on your screen, the chairman of the subcommittee on communications and technology. the hearing about to get under way on satellite television. by the way the chairman is also, mr. walden is also chairman of the national republican campaign committee. released a statement earlier today about the move yesterday in the special e -- win yesterday in the special election of the florida's 13th congressional district, david jolly winning that seat yesterday in a special election. >> i'll call to order the subcommittee on communications and technology, welcome you here this morning for hour hearing. today the subcommittee on communications and technology will consider draft legislation to re-authorize the satellite television extension and localism act. that's the law that governs the p

so you've got a whole -- i won't say a new generation, but frank pallone of new jersey and and anna eshoo of california, green of texas, these are all very seasoned members who have -- they're not junior by any means, but they haven't served and been in the positions as the guys that i just mentioned who are retiring. so, you know, it is time to look at the telco act. in '96 republicans had taken the majority for the first time in 40 years. tom bliley was the new chairman, jack fields of texas was the new subcommittee chairman. i think mr. markey was ranking member on the subcommittee, many dingell was the ranking member on the full committee. and then, you know, we were trying to be leading edge at that time. but if you go back to 1996, there really wasn't an internet. cell phones were these bag phones that were very expensive, very few people had. it was in a totally different environment. and now i have two, i have a congressional blackberry and a campaign iphone plus a wireless beeper i use up here. i've got high definition television sets. you name it, my 8-year-old son has a laptop

i joined with congresswoman anna eshoo and others in sending a letter to secretary kerry urging the department of state to cooperate with a syria study group to be facilitated by the atlantic council. the study group will be charged with producing a report to help the administration and congress identify and implement ways for bringing this crisis to a close in a manner fully consistent with the interests and political transition objectives of the united states. surely the protection of ancient faith communities like syria's christian community is one such interest. meanwhile, i believe its critical for the faith community in the west, specifically the church in america, to find its voice on behalf of our marginalized and prosecuted brothers and sisters abroad, be they in syria, egypt or iraq. i meet regularly with representatives of these groups. they are desperate for help or at least -- at least the solidarity and cannot -- they cannot understand the seemingly lack of urgency by their brotheren here in america and frankly nor can i. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the ch