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President Bush March 16 officially named Kevin Martin the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Martin, currently a commissioner, will replace the departing Michael Powell.

This method of naming a current commissioner to lead the regulatory agency precludes any drawn-out Senate nomination hearings, but it does leave the panel one member short, which could be sticky if a tiebreaker is needed. In addition, Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy will be stepping down soon, meaning there will be two new partisan positions to fill.

Upon receiving the president’s nod, Martin said, “I am deeply honored to have been designated as the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and I thank President Bush for this distinct privilege. I look forward to working with the Administration, Congress, my colleagues and the FCC’s talented staff to ensure that American consumers continue to enjoy the benefits of the best communications system in the world. I thank Chairman Powell for his excellent stewardship of this agency and I look forward to continuing his efforts in bringing the communications industry into the 21st century.”

In a prepared statement, Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association President Richard DalBello said, “SBCA congratulates Commissioner Martin on this appointment and we look forward to our continued relationship with him in this new capacity. Commissioner Martin has long been a proponent of consumer access to innovative services and has consistently encouraged the implementation of satellite services, including television, radio and broadband, to rapidly integrate advances in technology.”

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