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Appropriations Bill, with CARP Measure, Passes Senate The Senate unanimously passed the Commerce, State, Justice appropriations bill yesterday, including an amendment to rol back the copyright fees distributors pay for satellite-delivered networks and superstations. The copyright measure will ensure the satellite copyright fee increase will not take place before Jan. 1, 2000. The act was added to the bill by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.). Passage of the bill now places presure on the House of Representatives to pass a similar bill sponsored by Billy Tauzin (R-La.), which must go through the Judiciary Committee before it can be debated on the floor. However, that can be circumvented if the bill is picked up by a conference committee. Loquacious Don King Presents Keynote Address Boxing promoter Don King addressed the satellite television industry yesterdy, stressing the need to bring satellite TV technology to the masses, including the poor in the inner cities. Though he did not offer details on how to accomplish that goal, he pointed to the large amount of programming satellite systems could provide to disadvantaged youth in the areas of education, humanities, and the arts. Satellite TV brings "jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and ideas to the idealess," he said. King began his address with a story during which he applauded the SBCA for choosing Nashville as a site to host its show because Nashville has historically been a place of vision and new ideas. Following this, King argued the "SBCA is doing the right thing because it is meeting with resistance," noting that most revolutonary ideas have been challenged by incumbent powers in society. Despite that resistance, King said he ultimately believes satellite technology will thrive, noting, "if you give people what they want, they will respond." Drawing an analogy between Rip Van Winkle and those who do not realize the potential of satellite technology, King reminded attendees, "you can be part of it or sleep through it." When Van Winkle woke up, King noted, "Rip didn't know where he was, who he was, or what he was doing." King argued the unsung heroes in satellite TV are dealers, who "want a dish in every home like [Herbert] Hoover wanted a chicken in every pot." Using biblical allusions, he encouraged dealers to rally their armies and install a dish in every home, including those in the inner cities so they may "grasp and see things that happen all over America." King also praised the SBCA leadership, including President Chuck Hewitt and U.S. Satellite Broadcasting President Stan Hubbard. (click on the ad below to visit advertiser's web site) NEXT PAGE   July 23 daily   July 25 daily         Please direct questions about this site to general.mail@satbiznews.com q 1999 Satellite Business News Inc. All rights reserved.