*Pages 1--1 from  Microsoft Word - 37390*
 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  04-  80 
 STATEMENT  OF  CHAIRMAN  MICHAEL  K.  POWELL 


 Re:  Amendment  of  Parts  2,  73,  74  and  90  of  the  Commission’s  Rules  to  Permit  New  York  City  Metropolitan  Area  Public  Safety  Agencies  to  Use  Frequencies  at  482-  488  MHz 
 This  Nation’s  public  safety  community  faces  some  of  the  most  challenging  times  in  history  as  it  works  tirelessly  to  protect  our  citizens  and  secure  our  homeland.  One  of  the 
 Commission’s  highest  priorities  is  to  assist  public  safety,  especially  first  responders,  in  meeting  these  challenges  by  providing  them  with  access  to  spectrum  that  can  help  save  lives. 


 Today’s  item  does  just  that.  The  permanent  reallocation  of  Ch.  16  in  the  New  York  Metropolitan  Area  to  public  safety  use  will  facilitate  effective  public  safety  communications, 
 enhance  communications  between  public  safety  agencies  and  allow  the  New  York  Metropolitan  Area  public  safety  community  do  what  they  do  best—  protect  the  citizens  of  and  visitors  to  New 
 York. 
 This  Commission  will  continue  to  try  and  meet  the  needs  of  the  public  safety  community  and  use  one  of  our  citizens’  most  valuable  public  resources—  spectrum—  to  help  save  lives. 
1