FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps to Exit January 1

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 6, 2011 | 5:31pm CT

FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps has set January 1, 2012 as his last day with the FCC. Copps was appointed to the agency by President George W. Bush in April, 2001, assuming the slot vacated by Susan Ness. In a statement, Copps said should the Senate confirm a successor prior to his departure date, or should the Senate adjourn before January 1, he would leave sooner.

"It has been a privilege and honor to serve for more than ten years as a Commissioner. The FCC is an agency of true excellence and its decisions are integral to our country's future. Ubiquitous, opportunity-creating broadband and a resource-rich media capable of informing our civic dialogue are critically-important components of our future success as a people, and I intend to keep speaking about these challenges as a private citizen in the years ahead," said Copps .

He continued, "It has been the highest honor to serve with my colleagues on the Commission. I thank them all for their dedication, collegiality and friendship. I also owe an enormous debt to the Commission staff. Their professionalism and dedication to the public interest stands as a model of government service."

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement, "Commissioner Michael Copps has been a great teacher, colleague and friend. I applaud his deep and abiding respect for public service during the past forty-one years, his unflagging dedication to American consumers, and the passion and eloquence of his public statements. We will long remember and be inspired by the work of Commissioner Copps to give voice to the voiceless and to fight for the public interest."