Clyburn Sworn in as FCC Commissioner

WASHINGTON, August 6, 2009 – Mignon Clyburn was sworn in Monday as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. The ceremony took place in her home state of South Carolina, with the oath administered by U.S. Senior District Judge Matthew Perry Jr.

“I am deeply honored that President Obama and the United States Senate have entrusted me with the privilege of serving as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission,” she said in a statement.

“This is an exciting and challenging time in our nation’s history.  I am eager to hear from and work with all stakeholders to carry out, along with my colleagues, communications policies that protect consumers and encourage robust competition and innovation,” she said.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Clyburn, along with fellow nominee Meredith Baker, to the position last month. With these confirmations, the FCC’s board of commissioners is full once again: Julius Genachowski recently replaced outgoing Kevin Martin as agency chairman, joining Robert McDowell and Michael Copps in the agency’s highest positions.

Clyburn, whose father is House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), previously served on the Public Services Commission in South Carolina where she oversaw utilities regulation. She headed that agency from 2001 to 2004.

Genachowski welcomed Clyburn to the FCC: “Mignon is a dedicated public servant with years of state-level and private-sector experience, and it’s an honor to serve alongside such a talented colleague.”