The FCC has filled out its panel of five commissioners with the swearing in of Democrat Mignon Clyburn and Republican Meredith Attwell Baker.
Clyburn, sworn in Aug. 3 by Senior District Judge Matthew Perry Jr. of the U.S. District Court of the District of South Carolina, becomes the first African American woman to become a commissioner of the FCC. The swearing in took place at the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. Courthouse in Columbia, SC. Clyburn fills the vacancy created with the departure of former commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, whose term ended in January. Previously, Clyburn was a South Carolina public service commissioner. She is the daughter of Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC).
Following her public swearing in ceremony, Clyburn described today as “an exciting and challenging time in our nation’s history.”
“I am eager to hear from and work with all stakeholders to carry out, along with my colleagues, communications policies that protect consumers and encourage robust competition and innovation,” Clyburn said.
Attwell Baker, a Republican, was sworn in July 31 by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski in Washington, D.C. She fills the commissioner seat left vacant by the departure of former FCC chairman Kevin Martin, whose term will expire in June 2010. Attwell Baker served as acting head of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration until leaving in January. Attwell Baker is the daughter of former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker.
Expressing gratitude to President Barak Obama for his nomination and the Senate for her confirmation, Attwell Baker said, “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working on policies and programs that will help build a 21st Century communications infrastructure that can provide sustained economic growth, opportunity and prosperity for the nation, and for all telecommunications users.”
