Statement by
                         Reed E. Hundt, Chairman
                    Federal Communications Commission
                          regarding passage of
                   The Telecommunications Act of 1996
                                    

I commend the Senate and the House of Representatives on passage of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.  Final passage of the bill represents the culmination
of an extraordinary bipartisan effort by all involved, over a period of many years, and
I congratulate Chairmen Pressler, Bliley and Fields, Ranking Members Hollings,
Dingell and Markey, Members of the Conference Committee, and all of their staffs for
their diligence in advancing this historic legislation.

This bill creates the promise of good, high-paying jobs for millions of Americans and
the promise of competition and its benefits of lower prices, higher quality and better
service to us all.
  
The bill vests serious responsibilities in the FCC to make competition a reality in as
many markets as possible.  I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners
to fulfill those responsibilities.  The workload the bill will generate will require a
significant commitment of Commission personnel and will stretch our limit.  I pledge a
maximum effort by our employees to seeing that the bill is implemented in a
procompetitive and timely fashion.  I also look forward to working closely with
Congress as it tackles upcoming policy questions concerning the assignment of
licenses for use of the electromagnetic spectrum for digital services.

I especially applaud Congress for recognizing the importance of creating financial
incentives that will bring modern communications technology to our nation's
classrooms so that our teachers and students will have the tools to succeed in the
digital age.  In the short run, the bill's removal of barriers to competition will have
dramatic impact on investment in this country and the creation of new jobs.  In the
long run, however, it is the bill's commitment to connect the classrooms that will pay
the greatest dividends to America's future.

I also compliment Congress for recognizing that parents need the V-Chip and a
system of parental discretion advisories to help them select from the avalanche of
programs pouring uninvited over the air into our homes, and for authorizing the FCC
to adopt rules to promote the accessibility of video programming to persons with
disabilities.