Houston billboard demands Schumer apology

HOUSTON, May 5 (UPI) -- A billboard erected in Houston asks locals to call the office of Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and demand he apologize for comments seen as insulting the city.

Houston talk show host Michael Berry said he paid to have the billboard put up after Schumer made comments last month related to Houston's failure to obtain a retiring space orbiter, KPRC-TV, Houston, reported Thursday.

"Democrats and Republicans, everyone across Houston felt insulted by the fact Senator Schumer went to such great lengths to be a sore winner and insult the city of Houston. It was un-American," Berry said.

Schumer made his comments last month after Houston's bid to obtain the shuttle failed.

"I say to the people in Houston, when people all around the world, in London, Tokyo, Paris say, 'Gee, I can't wait for my trip to Houston,' then you can have a shuttle. Until then, it's staying in New York," Schumer said.

Berry said more than 20,000 calls have already been placed to the senator's office.