Communications Security, Reliability & Interoperability Council (CSRIC) Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2009
10:00 a.m.
FCC Open Meeting Room
Welcoming Remarks of Commissioner Robert M. McDowell
Good morning!  Welcome to the FCC and thank you for serving on the 
Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council.  We are grateful for 
your time and expertise.  I also applaud Chairman Genachowski for his leadership in this 
important area.  It is particularly poignant that we are holding our inaugural meeting on 
the day that we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor.     
I am pleased that we are continuing to work together to resolve the outstanding 
issues relating to next-generation public safety communications architectures and 
technologies.  Thank you for your passion and vision on these matters, which are so vital 
to our country’s future security.  Today’s event evinces the Commission’s ongoing 
commitment to ensure that first responders have access to cutting edge communications 
services so that they can best serve the American public in emergencies.  By coordinating 
closely on issues such as implementing the Emergency Alert System and next-generation 
Enhanced 911, pandemic preparedness, as well as staying on top of the latest advances to 
ensure secure cyber communications, we can and will succeed!  We have to.  
It goes without saying that I remain fully committed to ensuring that the 
Commission takes advantage of all opportunities to spur technological innovation and 
increase access to broadband services by emergency response providers.     
Our country is teeming with entrepreneurs who are ready, willing and able to 
invest and take the risks necessary to accelerate the development and roll-out of advanced 
services for an array of customers, including public safety agencies.  Moreover, given 
that over 220 million Americans rely upon advanced broadband technologies for anytime, 
anywhere communications, the public has high expectations for reliable communications 
and effective coordination among emergency personnel in times of crisis.  
Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your dedicated 
service to our country.  I hope you will continue to let me know what I can do to help you 
as we move forward together to keep America secure.