FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              News Media contact:
  March 7, 2000                      Audrey Spivack 202-418-0500
                                     TTY 202-418-2555
  
  
  KAREN PELTZ STRAUSS, DEPUTY CHIEF, CONSUMER INFORMATION
      BUREAU, RECEIVES "SUSAN G. HADDEN PIONEER AWARD"
                              
  
  
  Washington, D.C.  FCC Deputy Chief, Consumer Information Bureau,
  Karen Peltz Strauss, received the "Susan G. Hadden Pioneer Award" for her
  excellent work on disability issues.  The award was presented by FCC
  Commissioner Michael Powell.  In presenting the award to Karen, Commissioner
  Powell said, "I am honored to present this award to a very deserving FCC
  employee.  Karen continues to work hard to prevent technology from being a
  barrier for people with disabilities."  
  
  Chairman William E. Kennard, although attending a conference in
  California and unable to be present, congratulated Karen on the award,
  recognizing her considerable contributions to access for people with disabilities. 
  "Karen is dedicated to ensuring that affordable and equitable access to
  telecommunications equipment and services is available to all Americans,
  especially people with disabilities."
  
  The Alliance for Public Technology (APT) sponsored the Policy Summit in
  the Round.  The award was presented at the National Press Club, Washington,
  D.C., on Friday, March 3, 2000.  
  
       The Susan G. Hadden Pioneer Award honors the memory of APT's Public
  Policy Committee Chair, who was tragically killed during a vacation in Cambodia. 
  To further her mission of ensuring widespread access to advanced
  telecommunications, APT established the awards program and a fellowship
  project that is funded through contributions to a journal honoring the award
  recipients.
  
                              
                           -FCC-