[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996

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                            HON. SUE MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Federal 
Communications Commission on their newly demonstrated spirit of 
cooperation as they continue to implement the Telecommunications Act of 
1996.
  We are beginning to see the spirit of the new faces on that 
Commission. There is no question that the new members of the FCC have a 
lot of work to do--particularly as they work through what their 
predecessors started in the process which will allow local phone 
companies into the long distance market.
  Until just recently, the 14-point check list, designed to ease the 
long distance entry process, has been a constant source of confinement 
for local service providers. They have been forced into the courts to 
seek refuge. The courts have ruled in favor of the local companies.
  After such a long string of slanted rulings, clearly issued in 
defiance of the will of this Congress, I am pleased to see that the FCC 
is singing a new tune. I look forward to seeing those new words develop 
into new actions--actions that will fulfill the 2 year old promise of 
lower prices and more choices for American consumers.

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