Last week, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith sent a letter to members of Congress reminding them that radio has long served as a critical lifeline for emergency information, making it the perfect complement to mobile phones.

"For the safety of your constituents," Smith wrote, "incorporating broadcast radio into mobile phones should be a critical component of any next-generation wireless emergency alerting solution."

The letter discourages support for H. Res. 42, the Creativity and Innovation Resolution, introduced by Reps. Darrell Issa (CA-49) and Anna Eshoo (CA-14), which opposes manufacturers' inclusion of radio broadcast tuners in wireless devices. The letter highlights the important role radio stations can play in providing life-saving information during emergencies when cell phone service is unavailable, such as during the April storm that sparked tornadoes in several states or during the recent earthquake in Japan.

"As demonstrated during recent national and international disasters, even when mobile networks become clogged or falter, broadcast radio has the ability to stay on air." Smith added.

Read the full text of the letter here.