PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA- 08-2817 Released: December 30, 2008 CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECHARTERING AND RE-APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND CHAIRPERSON Committee to Remain Focused on Matters Pertaining to Digital Television Transition The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) announces the re-chartering and re- appointment of members and Chairperson to its Consumer Advisory Committee (“Committee”), a federal advisory committee that addresses consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission. FUNCTIONS Digital Transition. The digital television transition will remain the principal focus of the Committee as the Commission continues its efforts to assist consumers in understanding and preparing for the transition which, by law, must be completed by February 17, 2009. Through its work, the Committee will continue to provide valuable insights that will further the Commission’s goal of ensuring that all consumers, especially seniors, low-income, minority consumers, non-English speakers, people with disabilities and people living in Tribal and rural areas, are aware of the transition and the specific steps they may need to take to continue watching television after the transition is complete on February 17, 2009. Other Topics. In addition to digital television, other topics to be addressed by the Committee will include, but are not limited to, the following areas: 1 Consumer protection and education (e.g., cramming, slamming, consumer friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, Lifeline/Linkup programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing abuses, and outreach to underserved populations, such as Native Americans and persons living in rural areas). 2 Access by people with disabilities (e.g., telecommunications relay services, video description, closed captioning, accessible billing and access to telecommunications products and services). 3 Impact upon consumers of new and emerging technologies (e.g., availability of broadband, digital television, cable, satellite, low power FM, and the convergence of these and emerging technologies). The Committee is organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988). Each meeting of the Committee will be open to the public. A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting. Records will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public inspection. During the Committee’s fifth term, it is anticipated that the Committee will meet in Washington, D.C. for a minimum of two (2) one-day meetings. The first meeting date and agenda topics will be described in a Public Notice issued and published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days prior to the first meeting date. In addition, as needed, working groups or subcommittees will be established to facilitate the Committee’s work between meetings of the full Committee. Meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Members must be willing to commit to a two (2) year term of service, should be willing and able to attend up to a minimum of two (2) one-day plenary committee meetings during the Committee’s term, and are also expected to participate in deliberations of at least one (1) working group or subcommittee. MISSION The Commission established the Committee in November 2000 for the purpose of making recommendations regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the participation of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as American Indians and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the Commission. (See Public Notice released November 30, 2000 as published in the Federal Register, 65 FR 76265, on December 6, 2000). The Committee was renewed for a 5th two-year term on November 17, 2008. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS By this Public Notice, the Commission re-appoints twenty-eight (28) members of the Consumer Advisory Committee. Of this number, twelve (12) represent interests of consumers, minorities, and low income communities; five (5) represent disabilities communities; six (6) represent the interest of Tribal, state and local governments, and, five (5) are industry representatives. The Committee’s slate is designed to be representative of the Commission’s many constituencies, and the diversity selected will provide a balanced point of view as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. All re-appointments are effective immediately and shall terminate November 17, 2010, or when the Committee is terminated, whichever is earlier. The roster as appointed by Chairman Kevin J. Martin is as follows: Ms. Debra Berlyn, representing the Digital Television Transition Coalition, continues her role as chairperson of the Committee. Other members by organization and primary representative name include: AARP – Marti T. Doneghy Alaska State Department of Law - Lew Craig Alliance for Community Media – Gloria Tristani American Council of the Blind - Eric Bridges Appalachian Regional Commission - Harry L. Roesch Benton Foundation - Charles Benton Cablevision - Dodie Tschirch Call For Action - Shirley Rooker Communication Service for the Deaf - Karen Peltz Strauss Communications Workers of America - Jeffrey Rechenbach Consumer Action - Ken McEldowney Consumer Electronics Association - Jamie Hedlund Consumer Federation of America – Irene E. Leech Consumers Union - Gene Kimmelman Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network - Claude Stout Digital Television Transition Coalition -Debra Berlyn, Chairperson Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – Brandon Stephens EchoStar Communications Corporation - Lori Kalani Hawaii State Public Utilities Commission - John Cole Hearing Loss Association of America – Lise Hamlin League of United Latin American Citizens - Eduardo Pena, Jr. National Alssociation of Broadcasters - John L. Sander National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners - Nixyvette Santini National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates - Brenda Pennington Northern VA Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons -Cheryl Heppner Parents Television Council - Dan Isett Southern Growth Policies Board - Scott Doron Verizon Communications, Inc. - Richard T. Ellis ACCESIBLE FORMATS To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). For further information contact: Scott Marshall, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 3A633, 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554. Phone: 202-418-2809 (voice) or 202-418-0179 (TTY). Email: scott.marshall@fcc.gov. - FCC -