Group at Three-day Meeting will Develop Recommendations and a Plan of Action

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Digital Pathway to U.S. Economic Recovery and Prosperity, in conjunction with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, is sponsoring an Emerging Issues Policy Forum (EIPF) Oct. 12-14, where a bipartisan cross section of industry leaders, government leaders and consumers will consider how broadband innovation and advanced communications technology can be used to enhance productivity and efficiency in healthcare, education, and governmental services.

Ralph B. Everett, President and CEO of the Joint Center, is joining former Federal Communications Commission Chairs William E. Kennard (1997-2001) and Michael Powell (2001-2005), the honorary co-chairs of EIPF, and Julia L. Johnson, EIPF Regulatory Advisory Board Chairwoman, in assembling the group that intends to develop policy recommendations and a plan of action for implementing them before the meeting ends on Tuesday.

"In the midst of this worldwide economic downturn, we should renew our commitment to adopting digital, broadband and advanced communications technologies that can improve productivity and lead to the creation of jobs while enhancing the quality of life for all Americans," said Everett.

Everett will be the moderator for a panel discussion on Monday, "Stateside Solutions for a Digital Economy," featuring leaders of organizations representing state legislators.

Kennard, who was FCC Chairman during the Clinton administration, is Managing Director, Global Communications for The Carlyle Group. Powell, who succeeded him and was FCC Chair during George W. Bush's first term as President, is Partner and Senior Advisor of Providence Equity.

EIPF's mission is to create meaningful dialogue among legislators, mayors, governors, industry executives, consumer groups, and federal and state regulators in the energy, communications and information technology industries. EIPF hosts public policy forums which provide participants the opportunity to express their concerns about how business and policy decisions affect the consumers they serve. For additional information on EIPF, please visit: http://emergingissuespolicyforum.org.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation's premier research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses exclusively on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. For more information, go to http://www.jointcenter.org.