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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  03-  180 
 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  CHAIRMAN  MICHAEL  K.  POWELL 
 Re:  Modification  of  Subpart  G,  Section  0.701  of  the  Commission’s  Rules 
 This  Commission,  through  efforts  such  as  the  Local  &  State  Government  Advisory  Committee,  is  committed  to  building  and  strengthening  our  relationships  with  state,  local,  and 
 tribal  governments.  The  reforms  adopted  here  are  built  on  six  years  of  valuable  experience  gained  with  the  LSGAC  and  enable  the  newly  created  Committee  to  continue  operating  with  the 
 informality  and  flexibility  that  have  proven  so  effective. 
 Our  revised  membership  criteria  will  ensure  greater  balance  and  diversity  of  representation  and  access  to  a  wide  range  of  viewpoints  and  expertise.  In  particular,  the  new 
 Committee  will  gain  stronger  representation  in  three  areas.  First,  the  addition  of  homeland  security  expertise  will  facilitate  the  Commission’s  work  with  the  national  security  and  public 
 safety  communities.  Second,  increased  tribal  representation  will  enhance  the  Commission’s  opportunities  to  hear  directly  from  tribal  government  leaders  and  better  inform  the  Commission’s 
 Indian  Telecommunications  Initiative.  Finally,  enhanced  rural  representation  will  assist  with  the  Commission’s  Universal  Service  efforts,  and  provide  information  and  guidance  on  other  matters 
 unique  to  the  provision  of  telecommunications  services  in  rural  areas. 
 We  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  present  Committee’s  members  for  their  efforts  to  assure  that  the  LSGAC  provided  important  information  and  guidance  to  the  Commission  on 
 telecommunications  issues  affecting  local,  state,  and  tribal  interests.  LSGAC  service  represents  a  significant  investment  of  time  and  resources,  and  I  salute  the  leadership  and  dedication  that  these 
 members  have  demonstrated  during  the  past  six  years. 
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