The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program
announced today that Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission from 2005 to January 20, 2009, will become a
Senior Fellow to the Program beginning immediately upon his departure
from the Commission. This will mark the fourth consecutive FCC Chairman
to take this fellowship at the Aspen Institute upon leaving the
Commission. The tradition, beginning with Democrats Reed Hundt
(1993-97) and William Kennard (1997-2001), continued with Republican
Michael Powell (2001-05) and now Martin.

“Chairman Martin has been a longtime participant in Aspen
Institute forums,” said Charles Firestone, executive director of the
Program. “We look forward to working with him and to the advice he will
give us.” Firestone also noted the past participation of the
anticipated next Chairman, Julius Genachowski, in the Aspen Institute
Forum on Communications and Society (FOCAS), an annual summer
conference in Aspen, pointing out the non-partisan nature of the Program. 

“I have long enjoyed and respected the Communications and
Society Program,” Martin said, “and will relish the opportunity to
reflect on the nature of leadership that I exercised in this field for
the past several years.”

According to reports Martin will step down as FCC Chairman next Tuesday.

In his letter of resignation to President Bush, Martin pens: “As a
result of the market-oriented and consumer focused policies we have
pursued the American people are now reaping the rewards of convergence
and the broadband revolution including new and more innovative
technologies and services at ever-declining prices.”

Later Kevin, you will not be missed.