October 29, 1997
The Four Seasons Hotel
Washington, D.C.

Edward O. "Eddie" Fritts received the Media Institute's 1997 American Horizon Award. He is chairman and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters

First, I want to thank my good friend Jack Valenti, for being here tonight. In helping formulate a TV Parental Guidelines system for the Television industry, I have worked closely with Jack and Decker Anstrom for the past two years or so. I can tell you that were it not for Jack Valenti, we would not have a TV Parental Guidelines system. As Chairman of our group, Jack was the glue that held us together. Were it not for his wisdom, experience, tenacity, and leadership, I'm confident this would have been an impossible task.

Jack, there are two things I knew for certain when they told me you would do this introduction:

• One, it would have all the drama and flair of a Hollywood promo, for which you are known so well, and
• Two, I wouldn't have to worry about filling my time slot!

Actually, were it not for the honor and the high esteem in which I hold The Media Institute, I would never have accepted a speaking role between you and Chairman Billy Tauzin. First, I haven't brushed up on my Plato and Socrates. And secondly, I'm fresh out of Cajun jokes.

Seriously, I'm delighted to be in such distinguished company as Dick Wiley and Dick Schmidt and all of you here this evening.

Congratulations to my longtime friend Dick Schmidt - for your extremely important efforts on behalf of free speech. Looking around this room at the number of long time proponents of a healthy First Amendment, it seems a shame not to have our own Constitutional Convention. Patrick, you and your staff have been out front on this battle for many years, and we genuinely appreciate your efforts.

And what a timely and appropriate opportunity to recognize our new FCC Commissioners. Congratulations to our new Chairman, Bill Kennard, and our new Commissioners, Harold Furchgtgott-Roth and Michael Powell. All of us at NAB sincerely look forward to working with you and wish for you a very successful tenure at the FCC.

Let me also join in the congratulations for two of our outgoing FCC Commissioners, who have served with great distinction and honor: Jim Quello and Rachelle Chong. It was a genuine honor to work so closely with both of you. You both have clearly made your mark on telecommunications, and we wish only the best for you.

Receiving an award for bringing "Vitality" gives me mixed feelings - you see, words beginning with "V" have been difficult for broadcasters in the last few years.

V-chip and Voluntary come to mind.

As a matter of fact, the word "voluntary" has been used quite loosely in this town for awhile.

That's why I'm particularly glad those who designed this award chose "independence" as the flip side of "vitality." Vitality cannot exist for any industry, without the independence to carry out its vision. We only need to look at countries with state-controlled airwaves to know that.

I'm not sure I'm a good representative for vitality at this hour, but the future of broadcasting exemplifies vitality quite well. And the credit belongs to hundreds of broadcasters _ and many leaders in this room _ who saw the dazzling possibilities of the digital age at a time when critics were predicting our demise.

It wasn't long ago that many wrote us off as players in the telecommunications future. They were calling us dinosaurs and checking for a pulse.

Indeed, it has taken a whole lot of folks to piece together the seeds of change for television and radio. From the Cable Bill to the Telecom Bill, it has taken vision, collaboration and a willingness to see through today's methods of communicating, into a day totally unlike today.

Passage of The Telecom Act freed radio from artificial restraints _ and look at radio now _ re-energized and poised to be a very strong competitor in the marketplace.

Awarding of the digital spectrum has brought television to its next big milestone, and we are all excited about its future.

Broadcasters are reinventing themselves for their digital debut. We hope to move forward with the full freedom given to us under the Constitution and the flexibility necessary to every great work in progress.

I'm delighted to accept your award for the small role I have played. Being a vocal advocate in Washington and across the country _ making noise so to speak _ about our issues _ is much easier than what our members must do. Every day, our members in every city from coast-to-coast strive to inform, delight, and energize their audiences. They ignite and mobilize their communities in good times and in bad, and provide a voice for every good cause needing a champion.

Mark Twain had a saying:

"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work."

This award belongs to the "lightning" of our industry _ America's local radio and television stations, who are the heart and soul of their communities, and who deserve much more credit than they receive.

Thank you.