WASHINGTON, DC- Rep Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today responded to exaggerated reports of doom associated with the enactment of 4 additional weeks of Daylight Saving Time. Markey is the cosponsor, with Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), of the measure attached to the Energy Bill signed today by President Bush in New Mexico. Some technologists have complained that changing Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday in April to the Second Sunday in March, and from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November, could create problems for resetting clocks on computers and other electronic gadgets.

Markey said:

“When we changed Daylight Saving Time by 3 weeks in 1985, that previous generation of technologists had no trouble at making a smooth transition to an extra hour of daylight. If today’s generation cannot handle the complexity, we should turn to the old-timers – the Greatest Generation of technologists – to help with today’s transition. That was 20 years ago, so most of them are now in their mid-40s or 50s, but with a little work we should be able to track most of them down and put their experience to work.

“The fact is,” Markey continued, “there was no problem after the 1985 change, and there will be no problem now. American know-how will see us through to this new era of Daylight Saving Time, and in the process we will save energy, reduce crime, increase economic activity and give everyone a sunny outlook and a spring in their step.

For further information, please visit http://www.house.gov/markey.