NEWS


                                                       September 15, 1997
                                                                         
        LARRY STRICKLING NAMED CHAIRMAN OF ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
                                                                         
     Lawrence E. Strickling has been named Chairman of the Commission's Enforcement
Task Force.  He will join the FCC effective September 22, 1997.  Mr. Strickling previously
served as Vice President of Public Policy for Ameritech, where he was responsible for
developing and implementing Ameritech's state and federal regulatory and legislative agenda. 
Chairman Reed Hundt said today that "Larry Strickling brings a wealth of experience and
enthusiasm to the Enforcement Task Force.  I look forward to working with him as the Task
Force coordinates the Commission's use of all available investigative and enforcement tools
to promote open entry in telecommunications markets."

     The Enforcement Task Force was created to ensure that the pro-competitive goals of
the Telecommunications Act of 1996 are realized and that enforcement of the Commission's
competition rules is fast, fair, and predictable.  The Task Force, which includes
representatives from the Commissions operating bureaus and the Office of General Counsel,
will evaluate the status of competition in telecommunications markets and investigate actions
that may be impeding the development of competition in them.

     Prior to joining Ameritech in 1987, Mr. Strickling was a partner with the law firm of
Kirkland and Ellis in Chicago, Illinois.  He is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and a
Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Maryland.  Mr. Strickling currently lives in
Chicago with his wife Sydney L. Hans and sons Taylor, Alec, and Robert.

     News Media Contact:  Brian Browdie at 202-418-0505.

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