STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD
                              
       Re:  Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration, In the Matter of Creation
       of Low Power Radio Service (MM Docket No. 99-25)
       
       
  I am very pleased that we have taken the next step in creating room on the dial for
  real community radio of, for, and by the people.  By the end of the year, I am confident
  that Low Power FM Radio service will provide wonderful opportunities for schools,
  churches, and other local organizations to use the public airwaves to make their voices
  heard.  We have already received close to 1200 LPFM radio applications from the first 20
  states to file.  
  
  I have always been confident that LPFM can be implemented without disturbing
  the integrity of the existing FM service.  In order to address the concerns raised by the
  operators of radio reading services that serve millions of blind and low vision listeners, the
  Commission changed the LPFM licensing scheme to refrain from licensing LPFM stations
  on frequencies third adjacent to radio reading services.
  
  In response to the concerns of existing FM broadcasters, including National Public
  Radio, the Commission has established an enforcement procedure that will allow for the
  expedited resolution of any unexpected significant interference.  Finally, we modified the
  rules to make certain student groups eligible for LPFM stations and to better serve the
  needs of public safety and transportation authorities.  
  
  These changes strengthen the LPFM service. Each of these radio services are
  important to America, and I believe that these services can co-exist and flourish to the
  benefit of American communities.