STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re: In the Matter of Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the 
Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks, EB Docket 
No. 06- 119, WC Docket No. 06-63, Second Report and Order (FCC) 07-107
Today’s item marks an important step towards ensuring that the Commission and 
the industries it is responsible for are better prepared to respond in the face of natural 
disasters and other types of incidents, such as a pandemic, industrial accident,
environmental incident, or terrorist attack.  I am proud to vote in support of an item 
which, I believe, reflects the best aspects of the Independent Panel’s report and the 
subsequent input from a diverse array of commenters.
When we released the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that led to today’s order, I 
specifically asked and encouraged industry to develop and share their thoughts, strategies 
and ideas on disaster preparedness and emergency system interoperability.  While the 
industry certainly stepped to the plate, they were matched in their expertise, passion, and 
innovation by a diverse array of public safety agencies, federal and state government 
agencies, equipment manufacturers, and concerned citizens.  This diversity and depth of 
participation in this proceeding created a record which led to an item which I think 
everyone should be proud of, and marks a standard which we should strive to achieve 
across the board.
Finally, I would like to again thank Nancy Victory and the members of the 
Independent Panel for all of their efforts. I hope and trust that they will take pride and, to 
some extent, comfort in the fact that they have played such a key role in helping to 
prepare our Nation for whatever challenge it faces next.