NAB To Honor Green As ‘Champion’

Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) will be the inaugural recipient of the NAB Broadcast Champion Award, the National Association of Broadcasters announced today.

The award recognizes a member of Congress who demonstrates exemplary leadership and commitment to strengthening the future of radio and television, recognizing broadcasters’ vital role in our local communities.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee since 1997, Green has worked on a multitude of issues of importance to local radio and television broadcasters over the years. According to NAB: “He has taken to the floor of Congress to champion the vital role local broadcasters play as ‘first informers’ during times of emergency, and appears as a frequent guest on Houston radio and television stations.”

Green has been the lead Democratic co-sponsor of the Local Radio Freedom Act — a resolution opposing a performance royalty on local broadcast radio stations for free, promotional music airplay — since its inception in the 110th Congress. The current iteration of the resolution has 220 cosponsors in the House, two more than is needed to constitute a majority in the 438-member body.

Green is also a principal cosponsor of the Radio Consumer Protection Act, which would establish a fund to reimburse radio stations affected by the “repack” stemming from the broadcast spectrum incentive auction.

In addition, he is an original cosponsor of the Viewer Protection Act, which would provide additional funding to cover construction costs and other expenses incurred by local television stations switching channels during the repack.

“Gene Green has been a steadfast champion of hometown radio and television broadcasters since he first came to Congress in 1993,” said NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith. “He has a deep appreciation for the invaluable role local radio and television stations play in their communities, and he has worked hard to ensure our tens of millions of listeners and viewers can enjoy unfettered access to free and local broadcasting. NAB and America’s broadcasters are proud to honor him with this award.”

“I would like to thank the National Association of Broadcasters for this award,” said Green. “Our nation’s television and radio broadcasters are an important part of our day-to-day lives, providing Americans important news and weather coverage, entertainment and critical alerts during times of emergency, all free of charge. Going forward, I hope policymakers and regulators will work with our broadcasters, large and small, urban and rural, to ensure that this invaluable service continues to reach all Americans.”

Green will receive the award at NAB’s 2018 State Leadership Conference on Feb. 27 at the JW Marriott in Washington.