[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO DR. BRIAN FONTES

 Mr. CURTIS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor 
the distinguished career of Dr. Brian Fontes, who recently announced 
his decision to step down as chief executive officer of NENA: The 9-1-1 
Association after a remarkable decades-long career in public service, 
telecommunications, and 9-1-1.
  Dr. Fontes received his undergraduate and master's degrees at Brigham 
Young University and his Ph.D. at Michigan State University. He then 
began his career as a communications professor at the University of 
Massachusetts, Amherst, establishing the groundwork for his future 
contributions to the field.
  Transitioning from academia to public service, Dr. Fontes served as 
senior adviser and chief of staff to FCC Commissioner James H. Quello. 
In this role, he was instrumental in shaping telecommunications policy 
during a time of rapid technological advancement.
  In 1994, Dr. Fontes joined the Cellular Telecommunications Industry 
Association as senior vice president for policy and administration, 
where he continued his involvement with international telecom policy. 
He was tasked with developing policies and guiding regulation for 
wireless services in South Africa, working with the transitioning new 
government under F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.
  In 1995, President Clinton appointed Dr. Fontes as the head of the 
U.S. Delegation to the International Telecommunication Union's World 
Radio Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, granting him the rank of 
Ambassador. Following the 1995 Dayton agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 
Dr. Fontes served as chairman of the Communication Regulatory Agency 
Council, working to develop policies and ensure wireless spectrum 
access in the newly formed country, thus guaranteeing wireless 
availability for its public.
  Before joining NENA, Dr. Fontes was vice president of Federal 
relations for Cingular Wireless, continuing in that role following its 
merger with AT&T.
  In 2008, Dr. Fontes took the helm at NENA, where he has been 
instrumental in advocating for the development and adoption of Next 
Generation 9-1-1 technologies and services. His leadership has helped 
ensure that Americans have access to reliable emergency services, that 
9-1-1 centers have access to state-of-the-art technologies, and that 9-
1-1 professionals receive best-in-class training.
  As Dr. Fontes moves on to an exciting future, we reflect on his 
legacy of service, innovation, and dedication to public safety. His 
visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on emergency 
communications systems at home and abroad, and his work will continue 
to benefit future generations.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to 
Dr. Brian Fontes for his unwavering commitment to enhancing public 
safety and telecommunications.

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