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 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  February  11,  2005  Meribeth  McCarrick,  202-  418-  0654 
 Meribeth.  McCarrick@  fcc.  gov 
 Council  of  State  Commissioners  and  Regulators  To  Assist  FCC’s  Diversity  Committee 


 Daryl  Bassett  to  Chair  Council 
 Washington,  D.  C.  -  The  FCC’s  Advisory  Committee  on  Diversity  for  Communications  in  the  Digital  Age  has  asked  a  group  of  state  commissioners  and  communications  regulators  to  assist  the 
 Committee  in  its  work.  The  Diversity  Committee’s  mission  is  to  determine  how  to  ensure  that  a  broad  cross-  section  of  the  public  has  the  opportunity  to  own  or  manage  communications  and  communications-related 
 companies.  The  Council  of  state  commissioners  and  regulators  will  help  the  Committee  execute  its  mandate  by  encouraging  state-  federal  cooperation  to  better  promote  the  shared  goal  of  diversity  in 
 communications. 
 FCC  Chairman  Michael  Powell  applauded  the  partnership,  stating  that,  “This  is  yet  another  example  of  the  Diversity  Committee’s  dedication  to  pursue  every  path  to  a  comprehensive  and 
 coordinated  analysis  of  the  means  that  can  be  used  to  promote  diversity  in  the  communications  industry.” 
 The  Council  will  assist  the  Committee  by  developing  joint  federal-  state  initiatives,  by  promoting  awareness  of  both  the  mission  and  the  work  of  the  Diversity  Committee  throughout  the  nation,  and  by 
 expanding  the  Committee’s  work  on  industry  best-  practices. 
 Daryl  Bassett  of  the  Arkansas  Public  Service  Commission  will  Chair  the  Council.  Commissioner  Bassett  was  appointed  to  the  Arkansas  Public  Service  Commission  in  2003.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Harding 
 University,  Searcy,  Arkansas.  He  has  held  numerous  leadership  positions  in  Arkansas  state  government,  including  serving  as  State  Budget  Director  in  2002-  2003,  and,  in  prior  years,  as  the  Governor’s  policy 
 advisor  for  state  economic  development,  higher  education,  employment  security,  and  rehabilitation  services. 


 Diversity  Committee  Chair  Julia  Johnson  stated  that,  “The  Council  will  help  state  and  federal  regulators  share  information  and  ideas  as  we  all  strive  to  achieve  the  goal  of  a  vibrant,  diverse 
 communications  industry.  I  am  particularly  excited  that  Mr.  Bassett  has  agreed  to  be  a  part  of  this  effort.  His  leadership,  expertise,  insight,  and  experience  will  be  a  great  asset  to  the  Council  and  will  be 
 instrumental  to  the  Diversity  Committee  as  it  completes  its  work.” 
 -  FCC  - 


 FCC  contacts:  Linda  Blair,  (202)  418-  2030  Maureen  C.  McLaughlin,  (202)  418-  2030 
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