NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 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). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: December 17, 2009 Mark Wigfield: 202-418-0253 Email: Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov COMMISSIONERS NAMED TO SERVE ON THREE KEY FCC FEDERAL-STATE ADVISORY PANELS Commissioner Clyburn To Be Federal Chair of All Three Panels WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission has appointed Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell Baker to serve on the Federal-State Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State Board on Jurisdictional Separations. Commissioner Clyburn will serve as federal chair of both panels. Commissioner Michael Copps will continue to serve on both boards. In addition, Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioners Clyburn and Baker will be members of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services, joining Commissioners Copps and Robert McDowell on the panel. Commissioner Clyburn will also serve as federal chair of the Joint Conference. “I am excited to work with my former colleagues at the state level to develop thoughtful recommendations to address some of the most critical telecommunications issues facing our nation today,” said Commissioner Clyburn of her appointment to chair all three boards. “It is essential that federal and state governments work in concert to ensure that all Americans have meaningful access to affordable communications services.” Said Chairman Genachowski, “I am grateful to Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker for their commitment to serve on these boards. And I am particularly grateful that Commissioner Clyburn will take on the responsibilities of serving as chair. Her long experience with the South Carolina Public Service Commission, along with her work with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, with many community organizations, and as a newspaper publisher, make her uniquely suited to head these panels.” The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service was established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to implement the universal service provisions under the Act and to make recommendations on other universal service matters. It is comprised of three FCC commissioners, four state commissioners, and one state consumer advocate. One state commissioner, currently Oregon Public Utility Commissioner Ray Baum, serves as a co-chairman. The Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations advises the FCC on matters concerning the apportionment of regulated costs between interstate and intrastate jurisdictions. The separations board is comprised of three FCC commissioners and four state commissioners. One state commissioner, currently South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Steven Kolbeck, serves as co-chairman. The Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services provides a forum for ongoing discussion on the development of broadband resources between the FCC, states, and local and regional entities. The joint conference is comprised of all five FCC commissioners and up to seven state commissioners. -FCC- More information news about the FCC can be found at www.fcc.gov