By: Menendez H.C.R. No. 21

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Generations of Texans have long enjoyed viewing the state's professional football franchises and college football teams on television with friends and family; and

WHEREAS, Most Texans are not able to attend professional or college football games in person because the geography of the state is so vast; and

WHEREAS, A dispute between cable television providers and the NFL Network has interfered with the ability of fans to enjoy and support their favorite football teams in the 2006 season, resulting in a Texas collegiate team playing in a major bowl game televised by the NFL Network but not carried by the major cable providers of this state and further resulting in one of the state's storied professional football teams playing in a Saturday night football game not scheduled to be made available for viewing in the majority of the cable television households in this state; and

WHEREAS, Televised viewing of professional and college football teams of this state has traditionally been made available to the citizens of this state via cable television; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the cable television providers of this state and the NFL Network to work out their differences so that Texans can once again enjoy watching their professional and college football games with friends and families; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That, if the private corporations are not able to put the interests of the citizens of Texas first, the legislature urgently request that the appropriate state and federal regulatory agencies intervene to settle this matter; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State forward an official copy of this resolution to the chairs of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Communications Commission.