NEWS News media Information 202 / 418-0500Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 TTY 202/418-2555Internet: http://www.fcc.govftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12th 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). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT April 15, 2010 Brigid Calamis 202-418-2200 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL ON THE PASSING OF FORMER FCC COMMISSIONER BENJAMIN HOOKS With the passing of Dr. Benjamin Hooks, the FCC and America have lost a true pioneer for minority rights. While at the FCC and during his years of service at the NAACP, Dr. Hooks broadened opportunities for minorities in the broadcast world. He set a great example of placing the long term public interest first, even though he was sometimes criticized by the very groups whose causes he championed. As a recipient of the 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom and an ardent defender of the Constitution, Dr. Hooks once said that “even if it hurts sometimes, I’m a great believer in free speech and would never do to anything to tamper with it.” My sympathies go out to his family and the many others he touched throughout his distinguished life of public service. -FCC-