July 8, 1998

     FCC HONORS EMPLOYEES WITH GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL AWARDS
   
        The Federal Communications Commission has awarded its highest honors, the
Distinguished Service (gold medal) and Meritorious Service (silver medal) Awards, to 12
employees.

     The FCC presents these awards annually to employees whose accomplishments over a
sustained period of time have had an extraordinary or exceptional impact on the ability of the
Commission to accomplish its mission.  Recipients were chosen based on nominations from
Bureaus and Offices and recommendations by a Review Panel.

        After opening remarks by Chairman William Kennard, the Commission's Bureau and
Office Chiefs presented the awards at an agency-wide ceremony at 9:30am yesterday, in the
Commission Meeting Room.

     This year's honorees are: 
   
Distinguished Service (Gold Medal) Award

   þ  A. Richard Metzger, Jr. Chief, Common Carrier Bureau
   þ  Ruth M. Milkman, Deputy Bureau Chief, Common Carrier Bureau
   þ  Roderick Porter, Deputy Bureau Chief, International Bureau
   þ  Richard M. Smith, Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology
   þ  Christopher Wright, General Counsel

Meritorious Service (Silver Medal) Award

   þ  Stuart Bedell, Assistant Chief, Audio Services Division, Mass Media Bureau
   þ  Laurence Bourne, Trial Attorney (General),  Office of General Counsel
   þ  John Cimko, Chief, Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
   þ  Jon Crowe, Special Assistant for Publications Information and Programs, Office of
   Managing Director
   þ  Fern Jarmulnek, Chief, Satellite Policy Branch, International Bureau 
   þ  Magalie Salas, Secretary, Office of Managing Director
   þ  James Wuske, Electronics Technician, Compliance and Information Bureau 

                             - FCC -