FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             News Media Contact:
 April 26, 2001                          Mark Schneider (202) 418-2107
 
               COMMISSIONER SUSAN NESS TO LEAVE
      FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BY JUNE 1, 2001
 
 FCC Commissioner Susan Ness announced today that she will depart the
 Commission by June 1, 2001. Sworn in as FCC Commissioner on May 23, 1994, she
 will have served seven years.
  
 President George W. Bush has announced his intention to nominate three new
 Commissioners. "Although I do not know when the President will formally nominate
 or the Senate will confirm these excellent choices, I believe that an orderly transition
 is best accomplished by announcing when my time with the Commission will end. 
 My departure will be no later than June 1st."
 
 "It has been a great privilege to serve on the Federal Communications Commission
 in these extraordinary times." 
 
 "I cannot announce my departure without expressing my deep gratitude to those who
 provided me with this opportunity.  I am extremely grateful to President Clinton, Vice
 President Gore, and the Members of Congress, as well as to colleagues and staff
 with whom I have been fortunate to work."
 
 "I have had the pleasure of serving with three fine Chairmen, five talented
 Commissioners, and a remarkable number of outstanding Commission staff.  I thank
 Chairman Hundt, Chairman Kennard, and Chairman Powell for their friendship,
 leadership, and dedication. I also extend a note of appreciation to Commissioners
 Tristani, Furchtgott-Roth, Chong, Quello, and Barrett for their friendship and
 commitment."
 
 "I thank the Commission's staff for their excellent professional advice and
 assistance.  Over the past seven years I have been impressed by the knowledge,
 talent and dedication of our staff - bureau chiefs and their teams, lawyers and
 engineers, economists, staff assistants, and support personnel -- every member of
 this agency's staff." 
 
 "My personal staff over the years has served with exceptional talent and
 commitment.  They have worked long hours with extraordinary dedication to advance
 the public interest and serve the public. They have been an integral part of the
 accomplishments of the Commission, and I have benefited greatly from their
 intelligence, hard work, and integrity." 
 
                            -FCC-