RURAL LAw CENTER OF NEW YORK, INC.
DOCKET FILE COpy ORtGINAl
March 13,2001
MAIS OFFICE
56 Cornelia Street
Plattsburgh. New York 12901
(518) 561-5460 - Fax (518) 561-5468
e-mail: r!c@capital.net
www.rurallawcenter.org
o BRANCH OFFICE
90 State Street. Suite 601
Albany. New Yor k 12207
(518) 449-3375. ext. 16
Fax (518) 449-1769
e-mail: hsiegfried@wsg.net
Hon. Magalie Roman Salas
Office ofthe Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325
Washington, D.C. 20554
Re: Nomination ofGerald A. Norlander
MAR 2 0 2001
FCC DA 01-369, In the Matter o/Nomination/or Universa/_S:r:!cerdministrative
Company Board o/Directors, FCC Docket Nos. 97-21 and~
Dear Ms. Salas:
I am writing in support ofthe nomination by the New York State Community Action
Association ofGerald A. Norlander to be a director ofthe Universal Service Administrative
Company.
I am the Executive Director ofthe Rural Law Center. The Rural Law Center is a support
and advocacy center for low income persons in rural New York State. Among its efforts, the
Rural Law Center supports the provision oflifeline telephone service and advanced telecom
services in rural areas ofthe state. In the course ofits work the Rural Law Center has worked
together in cooperation with the Public Utility Law Project and Mr. Norlander to advocate on
matters such as procedures to protect intraLATA telephone service, essential to rural New
Yorkers, from unwarranted shutoff.
Mr. Norlander through his work with the Public Utility Law Project has worked for
many years to protect the interests oflow income telecommunications customers, in state and
FCC proceedings, and by providing consultation services and training to low income advocates
and organizations in all areas ofthe state, including rural areas.
As one who has spent his professional life, protecting the interests oflow income clients,
Mr. Norlander is recognized as a statewide leader in New York. Therefore I support the
nomination ofMr. Norlander to serve as a director ofthe board ofthe Universal Service
Administrative Company and I strongly urge the Federal Communications Commission to
appoint him to the position.
Susan L. Patnode
Executive Director
usan Patnode
Executive Director
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