J.C. Watts: “telecommunications reform has arrived in Oklahoma. National telecommunication reform hit the ground yesterday for the…”

“telecommunications reform has arrived in Oklahoma. National telecommunication reform hit the ground yesterday for the first time when the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, in response to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, sent a proposal on local telephone competition rules to the Oklahoma legislature and Governor for their final approval. I salute the commissioners for their rapid response to the new opportunities and choices that Congress provided America's consumers and businesses when we passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 just last month. Following final action by the Governor and the State legislature, Oklahoma will be leading the Nation in providing new telecommunication services to our citizens. Enhanced competition will provide Oklahomans and all other Americans with improved access and lower costs as we move the Nation's telecommunications systems into the 21st century. I want to congratulate the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for its forward thinking and swift action in assuring Oklahomans the most modern communications available in the Nation.”