In a press release that just went over the wires, Sirius and XM are making sure that folks know of the recent public support for their pending merger.

From members of Congress like Rep. Engel (D - NY), Rep. Boucher (D - VA), Rep. Weiner (D - NY) and Rep. Sessions (R - TX); to automaker (and Sirius partner) Kia Motors; to consumer advocate groups that most people here have never heard of; to unlikely bedfellows Charlie Daniels, Cousin Brucie and Deepak Chopra - the satcasters are beating the PR drum as we get down to the final hour.

Here's some of the better quotes in my opinion (the rest are viewable after the jump):

"The proposed merger should be considered in the context of a broad market definition, which includes the entire marketplace for audio entertainment. Under such an appropriate definition, the merger would combine only a small percentage of the market, but would lead to significant pro-consumer benefits. I, therefore, believe the merger is in the public interest and urge that the Commission approve it." (Rep. Rick Boucher, September 4, 2007)

"There is no doubt that the merger would be good for consumers of this service. A merger will allow the two companies to pool their resources, cut costs through economies of scale, boost innovation by bringing together their best and brightest talent, and ultimately make more programming available to subscribers." (Rep. Anthony Weiner, September 12, 2007)

"IWF is also interested in the increased efficiencies of a combined company and greater competition from other audio providers that would increase the speed to market of new and advanced technologies in satellite radio and audio entertainment. These are exactly the kinds of byproducts fueled by a free market that would simply not be possible without a merger of the two companies." (Michelle D. Bernard, Independent Women's Forum, October 1, 2007)

"The merger between SIRIUS and XM will further enhance Kia's goal of providing our customers with high-quality, high-value products. We believe that it is in our customer's interest and the public interest to allow SIRIUS and XM to merger." (Kia Motors, August 21, 2007)

"Truckers were among the first satellite radio customers and many continue to be very loyal listeners. They also will have a lot to gain from this proposed merger. Once this deal is approved, truckers and others who spend many hours on the road will have a greater range of programming choices and packages available to them." (Charlie Daniels, October 2, 2007)

More after the jump...