Democratic FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein won't have a whole lot of time to enjoy their majority status on the 8th Floor when Kathleen Abernathy exits 12/9/05.; Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI) have announced that they'll consider the renomination of Copps and the pending first-time nomination of Debi Tate just four days later. The Tuesday, 12/13/05 session will begin at 10AM eastern. Meanwhile, the NAB and other commissioners had nothing but kind words for the departing Kathleen Abernathy. NAB's Eddie Fritts probably summed it up for all of them when he said, "Kathleen Abernathy has served the FCC and the American people with class and distinction. Her dedication to principle has been matched only by her gracious demeanor and steady professionalism. We wish Kathleen only the best."

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Commissioner comments

Kevin Martin: "I have enjoyed working with Commissioner Abernathy since we joined the Commission together over four years ago. She has made valuable contributions to the agency during her tenure, and we have all benefited from her extensive knowledge of the communications industry. I wish her the best in her future endeavors."

Michael Copps: "Kathleen Abernathy and I arrived at the Commission together in 2001. In the years since then, the Commission has deliberated important and sometimes difficult issues. Through it all, Kathleen has been a pleasure to work with-smart, insightful and willing to walk an extra mile in search of workable solutions to sometimes seemingly intractable problems. Her grace, poise and good humor also facilitated the work of the Commission and certainly made that work more enjoyable. I consider her not only a colleague but a friend, and my staff and I wish her and her wonderful family all good things on the road ahead."

Jonathan Adelstein: "Kathleen Abernathy has served on the Commission ever since I arrived, and I will miss her very much. She has always been good to work with: honest, straightforward, and keenly interested in finding solutions to the many vexing problems we face. She is a thoughtful policymaker and a good person to work with under the often stressful circumstances in which we find ourselves. I wish her and her family all the best, with every expectation she will continue to enjoy great success in her life and in her work."