Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Announcement of FirstNet Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 20, 2012

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Announcement of FirstNet Board Members

Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05), co-chair of the Federal Spectrum Working Group and the High-Tech Caucus, issued the following statement today in response to the announcement of the 12 non-permanent members of the Board of the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, an independent authority within the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) which will deploy and manage the nation's first nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.

"I am pleased that the Department of Commerce and NTIA are moving forward with appointing Board members for FirstNet to help deploy and manage America's nationwide public safety broadband network. I have advocated for a strong and effective governance body for this network, as it will have significant responsibility over the use of highly valuable spectrum and significant public funding.

"I believe the Board members appointed today by Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank are a talented, experienced, and diverse group of individuals. I am confident they will be effective at helping ensure the success of the network.

"I am particularly pleased that Teri Takai has been appointed to the Board. As a former CIO of the State of California, Teri will bring unique and critical knowledge and expertise to the process, having worked directly with not only state and local officials, but also with the public safety community."

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