Commiioner McDowell statement re: Chairman Genachowski departure

NEWS

Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

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Washington, D. C. 20554

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.

See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT

March 22, 2013

Brigid Calamis: brigid.calamis@fcc.gov

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL ON THE ANNOUNCED

DEPARTURE OF CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI

The following statement can be attributed to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell:

The announced departure of my friend and colleague, Julius Genachowski, as

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, brings to a close a historic

era of thoughtful and energetic policymaking.

Although occasionally we disagreed, sometimes profoundly, he leaves office with my

utmost respect. He proved that through hard work, persistence and creativity,

bipartisanship and compromise in policymaking can occur in Washington, even in

these days of sharp divisions and gridlock.

His leadership has produced a legacy of highly significant accomplishments. For

brevity's sake, I'll mention just a few. Working with me across a 3 to 1 partisan

divide, Julius brokered the first comprehensive federal entitlement reform in a

generation with our 2011 landmark modernization of the FCC's universal service

subsidy program. This badly needed overhaul eluded several previous FCCs led by

both Republicans and Democrats, but Julius succeeded where others did not. The end

result included market-based incentives that are already saving American consumers

hundreds of millions of dollars while bringing broadband to unserved areas. This

historic accomplishment would not have happened without Julius's courage and

determination to reach a thoughtful compromise.

Since becoming Chairman, he has been an eloquent and effective advocate for

repurposing valuable spectrum to meet the needs and demands of American

consumers. The results may not come to fruition for years, but many of his efforts in

the wireless sector will help spur investment, innovation and economic growth.

Additionally, he reformed many of the Commission's processes, including enhancing

information flow throughout the agency.

The American people should know that Julius Genachowski has been a dedicated

public servant who relentlessly sought consensus in pursuit of what he thought was

right for the country. It has been a privilege to serve with him. I offer him and his

beautiful family my best wishes in their future endeavors.

--FCC--

LINK:	http://www.fcc.gov/document/commissioner-mcdowell-statement-re-chairma...
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