*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 22120.doc* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202/ 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th 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). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Fiske October 15, 2002 (202) 418- 0513 Statement of FCC Chairman Michael Powell on Senator McCain’s Telecommunications Ownership Diversification Initiative I applaud and welcome Senator John McCain's on- going and consistent efforts to encourage and facilitate new entry, including women and minorities, into the telecommunications industry. Senator McCain has consistently shown great leadership in his commitment to creating an incentive structure to promote greater inclusiveness in our media and communications delivery sectors and I wholeheartedly support this effort. We must all look for new tools that will promote opportunity for new entry into telecommunications businesses. This tax- based incentive system, designed to provide such opportunity while avoiding some of the problems of past programs, would be a welcome addition to the toolbox. - FCC - 1