Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-129
STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90
When children’s television host Mr. Rogers was a child and saw scary things on the news, his 
mother would comfort him by saying: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are 
helping.” 
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands territories were hit devastatingly hard by Hurricane Maria last 
month. The destruction is truly unimaginable, but as regulators we have a responsibility in times of 
emergency to act quickly to restore vital communications services. Despite the heartbreak and loss, I am 
grateful for the fearless individuals who have risked their lives to help those in need. 
Today the Commission does what it can to help rebuild networks in Puerto Rico and the Virgin 
Islands, by making advance universal service funding available and providing program tweaks to ensure 
that carriers serving those hard-hit areas are able to utilize this funding for rebuilding downed 
communications networks.
When responding to a disaster, every lost minute, lost hour, or lost day can cost lives and 
livelihoods. Time is of the essence, and that is why I support today’s action.