WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, released the following statement on the passing of Jack Valenti:“Though short in stature, Jack Valenti was a giant. He moved from the White House to Casablanca without blinking an eye. He traveled through life across the arc of politics and entertainment, from Texas to Washington to Hollywood, in a way never achieved before and unlikely to be seen again.

“From his days in the White House to his efforts on behalf of the movie industry Jack Valenti was also something else: a class act. From my work with him on countless telecommunications matters, Jack was civic-minded, caring, and courteous even when we were in policy disagreement. He will be sorely missed as a friend and the country has lost an American original.

“Jack was justly proud of his work to establish a ratings system that was first used to inform parents about movie content and later adapted for television programming, in combination with the v-chip. His ratings system sought to balance the creative needs of artists with the concerns of parents raising small children.”