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April XX, 2010

The Honorable JOHN DOE
Address (example: 1234 Longworth House Office Building)
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman/Congresswoman DOE:

I am writing to strongly urge you to become a cosponsor of H.R. 5081, the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2010. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Congressman Peter King (R-NY) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY), is crucial to enabling public safety agencies to develop and implement a nationwide public safety interoperable mobile broadband network to better secure and defend the United States against a host of natural and manmade threats.

While 10MHz of spectrum has already been designated for public safety use; it is not nearly enough. H.R. 5081 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allocate 10MHz more of the 700MHz spectrum, known as the D Block, to provide a total of 20MHz of contiguous spectrum to enable the creation of a robust, nationwide, interoperable and public safety-grade mobile broadband network.

Such a nationwide broadband network will be capable of linking each and every local, state, tribal and federal emergency responder, even when commercial-grade systems are overloaded or fail. This nationwide public safety broadband network will provide public safety agencies with access to new broadband technologies. It will facilitate effective communications among first responders not only in emergencies, but as part of cooperative communications plans; thereby, enabling first responders from different disciplines, such as law enforcement and fire departments, as well as different jurisdictions to work together on emergency preparedness and response across the country. Additionally, the envisioned public/private partnership will provide broadband access to rural America both for public safety and commercial interests.

Moreover, this mobile broadband network promotes immediate-to-long-term spectrum efficiency and its build-out will enable our local, state, tribal and federal public safety agencies to provide more cost effective services to their communities, saving millions of dollars with the efficient delivery of next generation technologies. Such cost effective measures are critical at a time when our nation's law enforcement and other public safety agencies are facing significant financial hardships.

As [Title] for [Agency], I strongly urge you to cosponsor H.R. 5081 - the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2010 to allocate the D Block Spectrum to public safety. Thank you for your anticipated time and consideration of this critical public safety and homeland security issue.

Sincerely,

___________
Title
Agency