Contact:
Tania Panczyk-Collins
202 654-4222
tpanczyk@apts.org

APTS Congratulates FCC Commissioner Adelstein on Being Named RUS Administrator

WASHINGTON—March 23, 2009—The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) extended its congratulations to FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who the White House named to serve as Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service at the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

“Commissioner Adelstein has been a remarkable public servant for more than two decades,” said APTS President and CEO Larry Sidman. “From his outstanding performance as a staff member in the United States Senate through his distinguished tenure as an FCC Commissioner, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to bringing the benefits of revolutionary digital technology to rural America and unserved and underserved communities.  He is the perfect choice to lead the RUS at a time when it has enhanced responsibilities and, at last, meaningful funding, to help make the dream of ubiquitous broadband penetration a reality.”

Sidman concluded: “Public broadcasting always will be indebted to Commissioner Adelstein for championing the cause of carriage of educational, noncommercial programming by multichannel video programming distributors. On a personal and professional level, I wish him continued success in his new position.”