NEWSReport No. CC 97-27   COMMON CARRIER ACTION                 May 22, 1997
                                    
                        David N. Baker Appointed to 
               Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
                            (CC Docket No. 96-45)
        
       The FCC has appointed Commissioner David N. Baker of the Georgia Public
Service Commission to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Baker's appointment fills the position recently vacated by the Honorable Kenneth
McClure of the Missouri Public Service Commission. 

       McClure served as State Chair of the Federal-State Joint Board from the time
of its establishment until his term on the Missouri Public Service Commission
recently expired. During that time, the Federal-State Joint Board issued its
recommended decision on the implementation of section 254 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

       Action by the Commission May 22, 1997, by Order (FCC 97-181).  Chairman
Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness, and Chong.
                                    
                                     -FCC-

       News media contact:  Rochelle Cohen at (202) 418-0253.

      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                    Statement by FCC Chairman Reed Hundt
   on the Appointment of Commissioner David N. Baker to Fill the Position
                 Vacated by  the Honorable Kenneth McClure 


       I would like personally to thank Ken for his hard work and his outstanding
contribution to the universal service Joint Board.  We will miss his wise counsel and
warm sense of humor.  At the same time, I welcome the appointment of David Baker
and look forward to working with him on the Joint Board.

                                    - FCC -