STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
UPON THE DEPARTURE OF COMMISSIONER DEBORAH T. TATE
DECEMBER 30, 2008
I congratulate Commissioner Debi Tate on the conclusion of her tenure as a 
member of the Federal Communications Commission.  Her time here has been eventful, 
and she should be proud of her efforts to lift unnecessary regulations in order to allow 
market competition to grow and flourish.
As one would expect from the former Chairman and director of the Tennessee 
Regulatory Authority, Debi has been a consistent champion of the states and promoter of 
cooperative federalism.  This background was evident in her leadership of the Federal-
State Joint Board on Universal Service, the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional 
Separations, and the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications 
Services.  
Debi also has brought her tremendous energy to bear on issues affecting families 
and children.  No other commissioner in the history of this agency can be said to have 
done more to call attention to the actions that the government, industry, and private 
citizens can take to help parents and children negotiate our evolving telecommunications 
landscape.  In addition to her well-recognized efforts to bring attention to the electronic 
media’s role in addressing childhood obesity issues, she also has been a strong advocate 
for private action and, where necessary, government oversight to protect youngsters.  For 
example, she was actively engaged in the “Digital Kidvid” proceeding, helping to forge a 
settlement with industry under which kids under 12 are shielded from immediate online 
sales pitches associated with their favorite children’s television shows.  
Perhaps most importantly, Debi has been the voice of consensus at this 
Commission.  She is due a tremendous amount of credit for helping the Commission find 
the middle ground on any number of complicated issues.  Her efforts in this regard are 
the embodiment of “good government,” and have well served the public interest.  
Debi has a long and distinguished record of public service, and it has been my 
honor to serve as her colleague.  I thank her for her service and wish her all the best in 
her future endeavors.