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U.S. Forest Service Welcomes Spring Visitors
GAINESVILLE, Georgia, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service unit - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest - issued the following news release:
U.S. Forest Service managers on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests anticipate a busy season as the majority of recreation sites have reopened to visitors after being closed for the winter. Visitors may notice improvements to many sites thanks to the work of volunteers and recreation enhancement fees.
"After the long wet winter, people like to get out and enjoy the woods again, and we've been working hard to get our
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GAINESVILLE, Georgia, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service unit - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest - issued the following news release:
U.S. Forest Service managers on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests anticipate a busy season as the majority of recreation sites have reopened to visitors after being closed for the winter. Visitors may notice improvements to many sites thanks to the work of volunteers and recreation enhancement fees.
"After the long wet winter, people like to get out and enjoy the woods again, and we've been working hard to get ourroads, trails, and campgrounds ready for the upcoming season," said District Ranger Ryan Foote, on the popular Chattooga River Ranger District.
"We received well over 100 inches of rain across this Forest over the past year, and unfortunately some roads and trails received significant damage. We ask that while visitors are enjoying the forest they recreate responsibly and practice ' Leave No Trace ' and ' Tread Lightly! ' principles," Foote added, citing two national campaigns to protect the forests from damage.
A popular location to visit includes Morganton Point on Lake Blue Ridge, which offers camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, water skiing and fishing. Mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders may visit Dry Creek Trail System, which offers 26 miles to enjoy on the Armuchee Unit in Northwest Georgia. Further South in the piedmont region near Eatonton, Ga., Lake Sinclair is a popular destination on the Oconee Ranger District.
On the only national forest in Georgia, smartphone and tablet users can plan their trips by using the forest's free mobile app that helps locate sites for camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming and other fun activities on Georgia's national forests. The app also delivers forest news and alerts so visitors can stay informed about changing conditions while on the go. Download the app at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mobile-app.
Most roads closed for winter season have also reopened, but motorists are advised to consult the official motor vehicle use map or call the nearest Forest Service office to confirm the status of specific roads. Road closures can occur at any time, which will be posted on the website under "Alerts & Notices" at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/conf/alerts-notices.
Visitors can also go to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/conf or contact a Forest Service office for directions, information about recreation areas, safety tips, news and special events. Contact a local Forest Service office by calling:
Blue Ridge District Office, Blairsville, Ga. - 706-745-6928
Chattooga River District Office, Lakemont, Ga. - 706-754-6221
Conasauga District Office, Chatsworth, Ga. - 706-695-6736
Oconee District Office, Eatonton, Ga. - 706-485-7110
Find more information or make campsite reservations for certain locations managed by the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1040.
See also information about:
Brasstown Bald
Anna Ruby Falls
More sites managed by CFIA: https://cfaia.org/recreation-areas-campgrounds/georgia-campgrounds-recreation-areas/
OK 15668-02 One Month Left to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
SACRAMENTO, California, March 22 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded small nonfarm businesses in four Oklahoma counties and neighboring counties in Texas of the April 22, 2019, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought in the following primary county that began Aug. 7, 2018.
Primary
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SACRAMENTO, California, March 22 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded small nonfarm businesses in four Oklahoma counties and neighboring counties in Texas of the April 22, 2019, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought in the following primary county that began Aug. 7, 2018.
PrimaryOklahoma county: Love;
Neighboring Oklahoma counties: Carter, Jefferson, Marshall;
Neighboring Texas counties: Cooke, Grayson, Montague.
According to Garfield, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. "Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's impact," said Garfield.
"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage," Garfield added.
The interest rate is 3.675 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Aug. 20, 2018.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary's declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail) for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Mobile Food Cart Brings Healthy Eating Habits to Thunderbolts
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force's 56th Fighter Wing issued the following news:
By Airman 1st Class Zoie Cox
Public Affairs
Thanks to the 56th Medical Group Health Promotions office, along with support from members of the 56th Fighter Wing Community Action Team, an interactive mobile culinary cart program is being finalized and scheduled to be up and running summer of 2019!
The mobile food cart program is a way to get Airmen involved in preparing simple, nutritious recipes that are budget friendly. With only being the size of an average kitchen island, what makes
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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force's 56th Fighter Wing issued the following news:
By Airman 1st Class Zoie Cox
Public Affairs
Thanks to the 56th Medical Group Health Promotions office, along with support from members of the 56th Fighter Wing Community Action Team, an interactive mobile culinary cart program is being finalized and scheduled to be up and running summer of 2019!
The mobile food cart program is a way to get Airmen involved in preparing simple, nutritious recipes that are budget friendly. With only being the size of an average kitchen island, what makesthe cart unique is its fully functional sink, cooktop, convection oven and multiple food preparation stations within the cart which lends itself to maximize hands-on skills.
"Many Airmen want to eat more nutritiously but lack the skills in meal preparation," said Deb Robinson, 56th Medical Group health promotions dietitian. "The mobile cart allows us to go to them, where they work, and teach them basic cooking techniques. It will also expose them to new foods they may have never tried and expand the variety of food they eat."
Healthy eating means consuming a variety of foods providing nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins and minerals to maintain your health and energy to execute the mission.
The Health Promotions office used existing data from annual health assessments and targeted high-risk units with low reported fruit and vegetable intake. The cooking demonstrations will bring awareness that proper nutritional balance is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle.
"Combined with physical activity, their diet can help them reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and promote overall health," said Sharon Kozak, 56th Fighter Wing community support coordinator.
The demonstration cart will showcase a variety of recipes including meals that are often skipped such as breakfast and pre and post workout snacks. The recipes will limit the number of ingredients required, be cost conscious and substitutions and adaptations for recipes to meet a variety of food preferences will be discussed.
"Nutrition is the cornerstone of human performance," said Robinson. "We need the right fuel at the right time to power our bodies to operate at an optimal level, physically and mentally. Getting the most from our diet means providing essential nutrients from foods so we can be active, stay focused and recover from injury or illness."
For more information on nutrition and other total force fitness topics, visit https://www.hprc-online.org/ or contact Deb Robinson at 623-856-4552.
McKees Rocks Man Sentenced for Role in Marriage Scam
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued the following news release:
A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of probation on his conviction of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit offenses against the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Donetta Ambrose imposed sentence on Norman Lee McCullough, 55, of McKees Rocks, PA.
In connection with sentencing, the court was advised that from
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WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued the following news release:
A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of probation on his conviction of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit offenses against the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Donetta Ambrose imposed sentence on Norman Lee McCullough, 55, of McKees Rocks, PA.
In connection with sentencing, the court was advised that fromJune 2016 to May 4, 2017, McCullough conspired with two other individuals to defraud the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services. McCullough, a United States Citizen, received money and entered into a sham marriage with a Nigerian citizen so that the Nigerian citizen could obtain legal permanent residency in the United States. McCullough also submitted false statements and documents to the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), for conducting the investigation in this case.
FCC Issues Order on Cellular Service Rules
WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following order on consideration (WT Docket No. 12-40, RM No. 11510, RM No. 11660, 10-112 and 16-138):
In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area
Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Relocation of Part 24 to Part 27
Interim Restrictions and Procedures for Cellular Service Applications
Amendment of Parts 0, 1, and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Frequency Coordination for the Cellular
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WASHINGTON, March 22 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following order on consideration (WT Docket No. 12-40, RM No. 11510, RM No. 11660, 10-112 and 16-138):
In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area
Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Relocation of Part 24 to Part 27
Interim Restrictions and Procedures for Cellular Service Applications
Amendment of Parts 0, 1, and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Frequency Coordination for the CellularService
Amendment of Part 22 of the Commission's Rules Regarding Certain Administrative and Filing Requirements
Amendment of the Commission's Rules Governing Radiated Power Limits for the Cellular Service
Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 to Establish Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services
2016 Biennial Review of Telecommunications Regulations
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION
Adopted: March 20, 2019
Released: March 22, 2019
By the Commission:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. On July 13, 2018, the Commission deleted a rule regarding Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements for Part 22 licensees (Section 22.321), reasoning that the rule was subsumed by another applying such requirements to all Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) licensees (Section 90.168). The Critical Messaging Association (CMA), which supported that deletion, has filed a petition for reconsideration. CMA does not seek reconsideration of any rule change implemented in the Third Report and Order. Rather, it asks the Commission to reconsider that Order's "interpretation of Section 90.168." CMA argues that the Commission erred in construing Section 90.168 to apply to CMRS providers that are not licensed under Part 90. Accordingly, CMA contends that with the deletion of Section 22.321's annual EEO reporting requirement, CMRS providers licensed under Part 22 are subject only to the annual EEO reporting obligations found in Section 1.815, which do not apply to providers, such as some of its members, with fewer than 16 employees. We deny the CMA Petition.
II. BACKGROUND
2. Throughout this proceeding, the Commission has taken significant steps to modernize and streamline its licensing and technical rules for licensees in the 800 MHz Cellular Radiotelephone (Cellular) Service. The Commission's 2014 Report and Order and 2017 Second Report and Order adopted numerous rule amendments and deletions to eliminate unnecessary filings and other regulatory burdens for Cellular licensees. The Second Report and Order also revised the Cellular technical rules to facilitate the use of Cellular spectrum to provide advanced mobile broadband services, such as 4G long term evolution (LTE), while protecting 800 MHz public safety communications from increased potential for unacceptable interference. The Commission's actions have resulted in Cellular Service rules more akin to the flexible licensing schemes found in other similar mobile services, such as the Broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS), the commercial service in the 700 MHz band (700 MHz Service), the 600 MHz Service, and the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS).
3. In the Second Further Notice, the Commission, in an effort to build on reforms adopted in the Report and Order and Second Report and Order and to respond to certain submissions by commenters in the Commission's 2016 Biennial Review of Telecommunications Regulations proceeding (WT Biennial Review proceeding), proposed and sought comment on additional reforms of its Part 22 rules governing not only the Cellular Service but other Part 22 Public Mobile Services (PMS) as well. The Second Further Notice sought comment on deletion of certain record-keeping requirements that were decades old and on rules that appeared duplicative of obligations set forth elsewhere in the Commission's rules.
4. Among the queries, the Second Further Notice sought comment on whether to retain Section 22.321(c), in light of comments in the WT Biennial Review proceeding that argued that Section 22.321(c) should be repealed in light of EEO provisions in Section 1.815 of the Commission's rules. At the time of the Second Further Notice, Section 22.321(c) required all Part 22 licensees (i.e., PMS licensees), regardless of how many employees they had, to submit an annual report to the Commission indicating whether any EEO complaints had been filed at the federal, state, or local level against the licensee. For any such complaint, the report was required to state the parties involved, date of filing, the court or agencies reviewing the complaint, appropriate file number, and disposition of the complaint. In comparison, common carriers with at least 16 full-time employees were (and still are) subject to the same complaints reporting requirement under Section 1.815. In response to the Second Further Notice, several commenters, including CMA, argued that Section 22.321(c) was ripe for deletion. CMA also asserted that, if the Commission were to delete Section 22.321(c), then common carrier licensees and permittees with fewer than 16 full-time employees would no longer be subject to an EEO complaints report filing requirement at the Commission, given the fact that Section 1.815 applies only to common carriers with at least 16 full-time employees.
5. In the Third Report and Order, the Commission deleted several administrative and recordkeeping rules for Part 22 licensees, eliminating outdated burdens that were inconsistent with the Commission's practices and the current predominant use of electronic records storage and access. The Commission also deleted the entirety of Section 22.321 (not just the complaints reporting requirement of subsection (c)), based on its conclusion that Section 22.321 was duplicative of EEO requirements applicable to "Commercial Mobile Radio Services licensees" in Section 90.168 and no longer necessary. In making this decision, the Commission noted that all CMRS licensees are subject to Section 90.168, thus effectively rejecting CMA's assertion that deleting Section 22.321 would remove EEO obligations for CMRS providers with fewer than 16 employees.
6. In response, CMA filed a petition for reconsideration on September 4, 2018. As noted above, CMA does not ask the Commission to change any rules, but simply contends that the Commission erred in concluding that Section 90.168 applies to all CMRS and subsumes former Section 22.321. According to CMA, Section 90.168 applies solely to those CMRS licensed under Part 90, which, according to CMA, consist only of CMRS licensees operating in the Industrial/Business Radio Pool. CMA argues that Section 90.168(c), when read together with Section 90.1(b), subjects each CMRS licensee in the Industrial/Business Radio Pool to the annual EEO complaints reporting requirement, regardless of how many employees it has, but that other CMRS licensees are not covered by Section 90.168(c) or other provisions of Section 90.168. CMA supplemented its Petition with an ex parte filing in which it notes that, when the Commission adopted Section 90.168 along with numerous other provisions in 1994 in the CMRS rulemaking proceeding, it was carrying out a directive to implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA). Citing that proceeding's CMRS Second Report and Order, CMA argues that "Section 90.168 and its companions were adopted and applied to Part 90 CMRS licensees (and only Part 90 CMRS licensees) in order to bring them up to the same standards already and historically applied to Part 22 CMRS licensees."
7. No other party filed a petition for reconsideration of the Third Report and Order, and no one filed comments on the CMA Petition.
III. DISCUSSION
8. We deny the CMA Petition as fundamentally misreading the purpose of the Commission's EEO rules and the Commission's intent in the Third Report and Order. The Commission has long recognized the importance of having EEO rules that apply to common carriers, including all CMRS providers. The Commission purposely applied its EEO program and policy requirements broadly in 1970, and in that context, it also adopted the complaints reporting requirement for common carriers no matter their size. As the Commission stated at the time, "discriminatory employment practices by a common carrier are incompatible with its operation in the public interest." It further stated that, in its determinations under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Commission must "'take into account allegations raising substantial questions whether the [entity] has violated, or is in violation of, the Civil Rights Act or a pertinent State law in this field.'" The Commission subsequently reviewed the application of EEO requirements to all CMRS in the CMRS proceeding, a proceeding in which, as CMA alludes, the Commission sought to adopt rules to establish regulatory symmetry among similar CMRS pursuant to congressional mandate. In the CMRS Third Report and Order, the Commission stated its purpose was to ensure application of the EEO rules "to all CMRS providers." In adopting Section 90.168, the Commission discussed at length the record evidence and concluded that it is "appropriate and necessary" to do so in order "to achieve the statutory goal of increased ownership opportunities for minorities and women in spectrum-based services."
9. Against this background, the Commission deleted Section 22.321 in the Third Report and Order, reasoning that Section 90.168 applies to all CMRS, including Part 22 licensees, and thus subsumes Section 22.321. The Commission noted that Section 90.168, with the same title and virtually identical provisions as Section 22.321, imposes the same obligations on CMRS licensees as those in Section 22.321, including the requirement, found in Section 22.321(c), to file a complaints report annually regardless of the licensee's size. Concluding that Part 22 licensees were subject to the same EEO obligations under both rules, and with the intent of removing repetitive rules, the Commission deleted Section 22.321 in its entirety. The Third Report and Order was clear that the Commission intended only to delete a duplicative rule and not to change the substantive requirements applicable to CMRS licensees.
10. We disagree with CMA's narrow interpretation of the applicability of Section 90.168. Section 90.168 begins by requiring that "Commercial Mobile Radio Service licensees"--not a subset of CMRS licensees--afford equal opportunity in employment and not discriminate in employment, and then requires in Section 90.168(c) that "[e]ach licensee, regardless of how many employees it has, shall submit an annual report to the Commission" indicating whether any EEO complaints have been filed against it.
Contrast that with Section 1.815 of our rules, which limits the scope of EEO filings to "common carrier licensee[s] or permittee[s] with 16 or more full time employees." The absence of any such delimiter in Section 90.168(c) makes clear that the Commission did not intend to limit such EEO obligations only to CMRS licensees with 16 or more full time employees. And indeed, the Order adopting Section 90.168 makes clear that the Commission intended that rule to apply to all CMRS licensees, not just to a subset. For similar reasons, we reject CMA's argument that the clear text of Section 90.168 should be set aside because the Commission originally created Part 90 for another purpose. Nothing in that purpose clause (adopted long before Section 90.168) claims to limit the scope of Part 90 for commercial licensees. And even if it did, we read the specific language in Section 90.168 (applying EEO requirements to all CMRS licensees) as governing rather than the general language of the purpose clause.
11. Finally, we note that it was not the Commission's intent in the Third Report and Order to relieve any licensee of its EEO obligations under our rules, including the annual complaints reporting requirement, regardless of a licensee's number of employees. Likewise, it was not the Commission's intent that Part 22 licensees only be subject to the Commission's EEO provisions found in Section 1.815. We therefore reiterate that all CMRS licensees are subject to Section 90.168, including the requirement that CMRS licensees, regardless of size, file EEO complaint reports.
IV. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
12. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis. This document does not contain new or modified information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Therefore, it does not contain any new or modified information collection burdens for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198.
13. Congressional Review Act. The Commission will send a copy of this Order on Reconsideration to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act.
14. Regulatory Flexibility Act. As noted, while the Third Report and Order removed Section 22.321, all CMRS licensees continue to be subject to current EEO obligations under the Commission's rules, including the annual complaints reporting requirement. The Commission issued a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) that conforms to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), as amended. We received no petitions for reconsideration of that FRFA. In this Order on Reconsideration, the Commission promulgates no additional final rules, and our present action, therefore, does not alter the Commission's previous analysis under the RFA.
15. Contact Information. For further information regarding this Order on Reconsideration, contact Nina Shafran at (202) 418-2781, or Nina.Shafran@fcc.gov.
V. ORDERING CLAUSES
16. IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4(i), 4(j), 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 332, and 405 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. ** 151, 152, 154(i), 154(j), 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, 332, and 405, and Section 1.429 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR * 1.429, this ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION in WT Docket No. 12-40 IS ADOPTED.
17. IT IS FURTHERED ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i), and 405 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. ** 154(i), and 405, and Section 1.429 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR * 1.429, the Critical Messaging Association Petition for Reconsideration is DENIED.
18. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE 30 days after publication of a summary in the Federal Register.
19. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 801(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. * 801(a)(1)(A), that the Commission SHALL SEND a copy of this ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION to Congress and to the Government Accountability Office.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary.
1 Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area, Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Relocation of Part 24 to Part 27; Interim Restrictions and Procedures for Cellular Service Applications; Amendment of Parts 0, 1, and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Frequency Coordination for the Cellular Service; Amendment of the Commission's Rules Governing Radiated Power Limits for the Cellular Service; Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 to Establish Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services; 2016 Biennial Review of Telecommunications Regulations, WT Docket Nos. 12-40, 10-112, and 16-138, RM Nos. 11510 and 11660, Third Report and Order, 33 FCC Rcd 7017, 7023-24 (2018) (Third Report and Order) (deleting 47 CFR * 22.321 ("Equal employment opportunities")).
2 Critical Messaging Association Petition for Reconsideration, WT Docket No. 12-40 (filed Sept. 4, 2018) (CMA Petition).
3 See Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area (other captions omitted), WT Docket No. 12-40, RM Nos. 11510 and 11660, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 14100 (2014) (Report and Order).
4 Amendment of Parts 1 and 22 of the Commission's Rules with Regard to the Cellular Service, Including Changes in Licensing of Unserved Area; (other captions omitted); Amendment of Parts 1, 22, 24, 27, 74, 80, 90, 95, and 101 to Establish Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services; 2016 Biennial Review of Telecommunications Regulations, WT Docket Nos. 12-40, 10-112, and 16-138, RM Nos. 11510 and 11660, Second Report and Order, Report and Order, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 32 FCC Rcd 2518 (2017). In this Order, we reference the Second Report and Order and the Report and Order collectively as "Second Report and Order"; we reference the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as "Second Further Notice."
5 Second Report and Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 2535-57, 2562-64.
6 See generally 47 CFR ** 24.1 et seq.
7 See generally 47 CFR Part 27.
8 See generally Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions, GN Docket No. 12-268, Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd 6567 (2014) (BIA Report and Order) (subsequent history omitted); 47 CFR * 27.5(l).
9 See generally 47 CFR Part 27.
Be Careful What You Wish for
MONTEREY, California, March 22 -- The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center issued the following news:
By Natela Cutter
Be careful what you wish for if you're a Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center graduate! You could easily end up catapulted into a world crisis where leaders are clinging to your every word, making crucial national security decisions based upon the information you provide them.
Such is the story of three Persian Farsi language graduates who in the summer of 1978 found themselves working on one of the most historically important political turning points
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MONTEREY, California, March 22 -- The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center issued the following news:
By Natela Cutter
Be careful what you wish for if you're a Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center graduate! You could easily end up catapulted into a world crisis where leaders are clinging to your every word, making crucial national security decisions based upon the information you provide them.
Such is the story of three Persian Farsi language graduates who in the summer of 1978 found themselves working on one of the most historically important political turning pointsin the Middle East - the Iranian Revolution.
"We had zero idea what we were going to do when we showed up for work...Coming out of the Persian Farsi program [at DLIFLC] we thought we knew it all, but -- we knew nothing," said Michael Ruhm, to large a group of multi-service Persian Farsi linguists.
Along with his two former classmates, Donald Huntington and Michael Sherman, and former boss Thomas Chesno, Ruhm visited the Persian Farsi School Feb. 21, at the Presidio of Monterey, as part of an alumni reunion, incidentally coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.
"We went from knowing nothing...to the White House situation room calling and saying, 'Hey, what's going on?' And we had to fall back on what we learned in Monterey," Ruhm explained, remembering that he had received an urgent call at 7 a.m. to come to work after a long night out on the town.
The political situation in Iran spiraled out of control and a religious revolutionary anti-Western group, led by Shia clerk Ayatollah Khomeini, overthrew the 2,500 year-old monarchy. With growing distrust toward the U.S., in November 1979 the American Embassy was stormed and 52 Americans were taken hostage. Their ordeal would last 444 days.
Just four days after receiving the call, Ruhm found himself aboard the USS La Salle, where he would take a helicopter every day to fly up the Persian Gulf, closer to Iranian flight space to pick up more communications about the hostage crisis.
"In 1979, things were extremely in disarray in Iran," said Chesno, telling students that as supervisor he not only dealt with the intricate details of the crisis, but was also charged with the wellbeing of his assigned Airmen.
"Michael [Ruhm] was asked to fly each day," said Chesno, recounting how he went to the Air Force to ask them for flight pay. "And they said 'He is not flight qualified, so he can't have flight pay.' And I said, 'But he is flying every day,' and they said, 'No, he is not!'" The room of students rolled with laughter.
After being told he would spend three to six weeks on a ship, Ruhm was moved from ship to ship as one of the most qualified linguists available, spending a total of 238 days at sea.
"Every time the La Salle pulled into [a port in] Bahrain they said 'Oh, no you don't!' and I saw no land, not once," explained Ruhm adding that there was a special system for "cross-decking" him, or moving him from ship to ship. "They pulled you on a cable and chair, sometimes underwater...."
While Ruhm's classmates went back to their normal lives after enlistment, Ruhm continued working for the government for the next 34 years, 32 of which were spent outside the United States.
"You just don't know when you are going to get the next phone call and where it will take you," Chesno told the students, advising them to learn not only the language and vocabulary, but also understand the culture. "Your training will never ever stop...you need to know what the words look like when they are abbreviated or cut short in a conversation..."
Having worked in the intelligence community for 50 years, Chesno offered to students that their skill set would always be in high demand. "You guys aren't going away. When it comes down to the final decision on things, you are the folks we need in negotiations, you are the folks we need when we find papers in the pockets of terrorists...
As for Ruhm, his career took him to dozens of countries and he learned at least six more languages.
"I had the opportunity to visit such garden spots as Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Kuwait, El Salvador," he said. "And each time I got the call, I said 'sure, how much worse can it be?'"
For a guy who played in a rock band and had a part time chimney sweep job at 19, Ruhm says that learning Persian Farsi took him a long way. "Farsi is my first love and I still think it is the most beautiful language spoken out there."
AFW2 Announces 2019 Warrior Games Team
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news:
By Shawn Sprayberry
Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, or AFW2, is proud to announce the 2019 Air Force Warrior Games team. A team of coaches and staff selected 40 primary and ten alternates at the 6th Annual Air Force Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 7th. The 40-person team will go on to compete at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida, June 21-30.
The DoD Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style competitive event featuring 11
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 22 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news:
By Shawn Sprayberry
Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, or AFW2, is proud to announce the 2019 Air Force Warrior Games team. A team of coaches and staff selected 40 primary and ten alternates at the 6th Annual Air Force Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 7th. The 40-person team will go on to compete at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida, June 21-30.
The DoD Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style competitive event featuring 11different sports: archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair basketball and, for the first time in Warrior Games history, indoor rowing, powerlifting and time-trial cycling.
"While the Warrior Games is a competitive event it is more about resiliency and recovery, these competitors are going out to show everyone how adaptive sports have helped them and will walk away with their personal bests in whatever sport they compete in," said Col. Michael Flatten, AFW2 director. "I am hoping they bring home a lot of medals but, in the end, I am really hoping they see themselves as part of a team that will help them achieve their very best."
An emotional interview with retired Tech. Sgt. Chunte Gonzalez displayed the common theme of pride in being part of the team. She said, "To represent the Air Force again, I can't even describe in words what that means to me. It is more than an honor. I just want to make the Air Force proud, just like I did when I served. It feels so good."
The team is made up of a mixture of active, Guard and Reserve Airmen and veterans.
"We're really excited by this new team," said Marsha Gonzales, AFW2 support branch chief. "Over 50 percent are AFW2 members who have never competed with us before. I certainly echo Col. Flatten's comments, the Warrior Games is meant to highlight how important adaptive sports are in recovery. Our team will do well no matter what and we look forward to seeing them compete alongside their brothers and sisters in arms."
The primary athletes are:
Master Sgt. Blanca Baquero-Cruz
Airman 1st Class John Berry
Staff Sgt. Bryon Brightman
Retired Senior Airman Brett Campfield
Retired Staff Sgt. Kristina Coble
Retired Staff Sgt. Christina Davila-Lucier
Retired Master Sgt. Joshua Faine
Tech. Sgt. Steven Fourman
Retired Tech. Sgt. Larry Franklin
Senior Airman DeMarcus Garrett
Master Sgt. Lisa Goad
Retired Tech. Sgt. Chunte Gonzalez
Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene
Master Sgt. Kenneth Guinn
Retired Master Sgt. Shanon Hampton
Retired Capt. Quinn Harrington
Retired Capt. Lawrence Hufford
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada
Tech. Sgt. Roann Leatz
Retired Staff Sgt. Jordan Lee-Fatt
Master Sgt. Melissa Martinez
Retired Tech. Sgt. Jayson McCoy
Retired Maj. Lisa McCranie
Retired Capt. Kristen Morris
Retired Tech. Sgt. Melissa Nueva
Retired Senior Airman Joseph Pate
Retired Staff Sgt. Seth Pena
Retired Tech. Sgt. Michele Prindle
Retired Senior Airman Lucas Purser
Retired Tech. Sgt. Ricardo Rivera
Retired Master Sgt. Andres Rodriguez
Retired Tech. Sgt. William Royster
Retired Tech. Sgt. Joshua Smith
Staff Sgt. Melinda Smith
Senior Master Sgt. David Snyder
Tech. Sgt. Justice Stevens
Senior Airman Brandon Sullivan
Staff Sgt. Aaron "Craig" Taylor
Master Sgt. Brian Williams
Capt. Heather Wright
The alternate athletes are:
Senior Airman Karah Behrend
Staff Sgt. Brian Biviano
Senior Airman Faith Donato
Tech. Sgt. Nicole Favuzza
Retired Maj. Kenneth Hinton
Master Sgt. Roger Hopkins
Lt. Col. Jason Howell
Retired Master Sgt. David Lee
Retired Staff Sgt. William Preston
Follow the action at https://dodwarriorgames.com/ or on AFW2's social media sites at http://www.facebook.com/airforcewoundedwarrior, http://www.twitter.com/afw2, and http://www.instagram.com/afw2. AFW2 will keep you updated throughout the weeks and days leading up to the competition with athlete profiles and information about upcoming competitions.
