NEWS
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).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
March 22, 2013 Brigid Calamis: brigid.calamis@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL ON THE ANNOUNCED 
DEPARTURE OF CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
The following statement can be attributed to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell:
The announced departure of my friend and colleague, Julius Genachowski, as 
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, brings to a close a historic 
era of thoughtful and energetic policymaking.
Although occasionally we disagreed, sometimes profoundly, he leaves office with my 
utmost respect. He proved that through hard work, persistence and creativity, 
bipartisanship and compromise in policymaking can occur in Washington, even in 
these days of sharp divisions and gridlock.
His leadership has produced a legacy of highly significant accomplishments. For 
brevity’s sake, I’ll mention just a few. Working with me across a 3 to 1 partisan 
divide, Julius brokered the first comprehensive federal entitlement reform in a 
generation with our 2011 landmark modernization of the FCC’s universal service 
subsidy program. This badly needed overhaul eluded several previous FCCs led by 
both Republicans and Democrats, but Julius succeeded where others did not. The end 
result included market-based incentives that are already saving American consumers 
hundreds of millions of dollars while bringing broadband to unserved areas. This 
historic accomplishment would not have happened without Julius’s courage and 
determination to reach a thoughtful compromise.
Since becoming Chairman, he has been an eloquent and effective advocate for 
repurposing valuable spectrum to meet the needs and demands of American 
consumers. The results may not come to fruition for years, but many of his efforts in 
the wireless sector will help spur investment, innovation and economic growth.
Additionally, he reformed many of the Commission’s processes, including enhancing 
information flow throughout the agency.
The American people should know that Julius Genachowski has been a dedicated 
public servant who relentlessly sought consensus in pursuit of what he thought was 
right for the country. It has been a privilege to serve with him.  I offer him and his 
beautiful family my best wishes in their future endeavors.
--FCC--