Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s office today partnered with the city of Lancaster to hold a training session on the digital television (DTV) transition at the Lancaster Life Center.  Nearly 100 area residents attended, along with representatives from the Lancaster Life Center, the Hutchins Life Center and the Agency on Aging Community Council of Greater Dallas.  Thomas Wyatt of the Federal Communications Commission was the featured speaker.

On June 12, federal law will require all television stations to broadcast only in digital format, which will affect television viewers who currently use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna.  Today’s training session was designed to educate individuals and local agencies on the three options those viewers have: purchasing a converter box at an electronic retailer; purchasing a television set with a built-in digital tuner; or subscribing to cable, satellite, or another pay television service.  Congress recently voted to delay the DTV transition from February 17 to June 12.

The session also included an opportunity for local residents to sign up for coupons for converter boxes.  Though there is currently a waiting list for coupons, they could become available in the coming months.

Congresswoman Johnson’s office held a similar event Friday, January 30, at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.