*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 44245.doc* NEWS 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). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT November 29, 2004 Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418- 0654 Meribeth. Mccarrick@ fcc. gov ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS IN THE DIGITAL AGE TO HOLD MEETING IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 Washington, D. C. – The Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age is scheduled to meet on Friday, December 10, 2004. The meeting will begin at 1: 00 p. m. at the Florida Memorial College at 15800 NW 42 nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. During the meeting the Committee will discuss recommendations from the three subcommittees: (1) The Subcommittee on Career Advancement will propose a web site that will serve as a diversity resource directory, a further report on the best of the Best Practices identified in the survey "Workplace Diversity: A Global Necessity and an Ongoing Commitment,” and a recommendation relating to minority and female career advancement; (2) The Transactional Transparency and Outreach Subcommittee will present a recommendation on merger review; (3) The Financial Issues Subcommittee will present a Community Reinvestment Act recommendation and foreign ownership proposal. The Diversity Committee meeting will be preceded in the morning by a “kick- off” event for the new “Communications Technology Supplier Diversity Business Development Program.” The Supplier Diversity Program is a new industry initiative designed to support new technology introduction throughout the communications industry from businesses that meet Small Business Administration guidelines. The Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age was formed by FCC Chairman Michael Powell in the summer of 2003. Its mission is to provide guidance to the Commission on policies and practices that could further enhance the ability of minorities and women to participate in the telecommunications and related industries. The Committee issues reports and makes recommendations concerning the need for any guidelines, incentives, regulations or other policy approaches to promote diversity of participation in the communications sector. It has also developed a description of best practices within the communications sector for promoting diversity of participation. Information concerning the activities of the Diversity Committee can be reviewed at the Committee’s Web site http:// www. fcc. gov/ DiversityFAC. Material relevant to the December 10th meeting will be posted there. Members of the general public may attend the meeting. The 1 FCC will attempt to accommodate as many people as possible. However, admittance will be limited to the seating available. A live RealAudio feed over the Internet will not be available. The public may submit written comments to the Committee’s Designated Federal Officer before the meeting. Comments may be sent via mail to: Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554, or electronically to DiversityFAC@ fcc. gov. - FCC - FCC contacts: Linda Blair (202) 418- 2030 Maureen McLaughlin (202) 418- 2030 2