[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TELECOM REFORM HAS ARRIVED IN OKLAHOMA

  (Mr. WATTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, telecommunications reform has 
arrived in Oklahoma.
  National telecommunication reform hit the ground yesterday for the 
first time when the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, in response to the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, sent a proposal on local telephone 
competition rules to the Oklahoma legislature and Governor for their 
final approval.
  I salute the commissioners for their rapid response to the new 
opportunities and choices that Congress provided America's consumers 
and businesses when we passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 just 
last month.
  Following final action by the Governor and the State legislature, 
Oklahoma will be leading the Nation in providing new telecommunication 
services to our citizens. Enhanced competition will provide Oklahomans 
and all other Americans with improved access and lower costs as we move 
the Nation's telecommunications systems into the 21st century.
  I want to congratulate the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for its 
forward thinking and swift action in assuring Oklahomans the most 
modern communications available in the Nation.

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