| Author |
Message |
    
Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 281
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 11:07 am: | 
|
Found this on ******...
FYI.
WASHINGTON - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell plans to resign Friday, FCC officials confirmed, ending what's often been a controversial tenure as he tried to push the telecom and media industries into an increasingly deregulated world that some lawmakers, companies and consumer groups didn't like.
The news, first reported on The Wall Street Journal's editorial page Friday, was something of a surprise coming just one day after President Bush's inauguration and with some very hefty issues yet to be dealt with by the FCC. Those issues include how to treat burgeoning Internet phone services as well as how to overhaul the Universal Service Fund, a federal subsidy program under financial pressure. The Wall Street Journal is published by Dow Jones & Co. (DJ), publisher of the newswire used for this report.
Rumors have circulated for months that Powell, who has been on the FCC since President Clinton appointed him as a commissioner seven years ago, would step down. Recent conventional wisdom had him leaving in the spring after at least some of these issues were dealt with.
The FCC is a five-member commission, with a majority representing the party of the president, in this case, Republicans. Possible successors discussed have included current Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin.
|
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4585
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 5:07 pm: |
|
Just the Facts 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS
January 21, 2005
David Fiske
Richard Diamond
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL K. POWELL
ON LEAVING THE COMMISSION
Today, I sent a letter to the President thanking him for the incredible privilege of chairing the Federal Communications Commission during his first term. With a mixture of pride and regret I informed him of my intention to step down as a commissioner and chairman some time in March.
Having completed a bold and aggressive agenda, it is time for me to pursue other opportunities and let someone else take the reins of the agency. During my tenure, we worked to get the law right in order to stimulate innovative technology that puts more power in the hands of the American people, giving them greater choices that enrich their lives. Evidence of our success can be seen increasingly in the offices, the automobiles and the living rooms of the American consumer.
The seeds of our policies are taking firm root in the marketplace and are starting to blossom. The use of cell phones, digital televisions, personal video recorders, and digital music players, is exploding. These devices are increasingly connected anytime, anywhere by a wide variety of broadband networks enabling a host of competitive services and new applications. Our children will inherit this exciting future.
My only significant regret is that I will no longer have the pleasure and privilege of working shoulder to shoulder with the most talented and dedicated staff and colleagues that I have known. I look forward to spending some time off with my wife and two boys, before taking up my next challenge. They have been wonderfully supportive and patient.
*****
On a side note!
Powell--whose father is Secretary of State Colin Powell--joined the FCC in 1997. He became its chairman two days after President Bush was sworn in for his first term in 2001.
Possibilities to replace Powell include the other Republican members of the five-member FCC--Kathleen Q. Abernathy, a staunch BPL supporter, and Kevin J. Martin. Speculation also has been raised about various candidates outside the commissioners.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
See Ya! 
|
|
