STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN Re: Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology, CG Docket No. 16-145; Petition for Rulemaking to Update the Commission’s Rules for Access to Support the Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology, and Petition for Waiver of Rules Requiring Support of TTY Technology, GN Docket No. 15-178, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking So, there we were: Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, visitors up by one. Our home team was up at bat. Those of us watching from the stands were really hoping for a grand slam, but as fate would have it, the third base player was the only one who made it to home plate. Today, we fall short of a grand slam that seemed so much within reach just a few days ago, but I am relieved to be able to say that we are still in the game. President Cordano, I am admittedly disappointed that all of our runners failed to cross home plate, but like you, Mr. Claude Stout, those present and countless others, I remain hopeful that the path laid out before us is sufficiently clear to achieve the goal of a twenty-first century universal and integrated text solution for people with disabilities. Real-time text promises a future where everyone can seamlessly connect with friends, family and emergency services without specialized equipment. It is a future where a father who is deaf can easily and reliably keep in touch with his daughter during her semester abroad, or a speech disabled homeowner can quickly secure the services of the plumber of his choice, or a hard of hearing grandmother can simultaneously speak to and text her grandson during their weekly call. Our action today will no doubt have a positive ripple effect worldwide – for we are trendsetters, both domestically and internationally, and it is no understatement to say that with this item we are poised to open up a world of possibilities for members of our communities who in too many ways remain separated from mainstream society. So yes, this is a momentous occasion, but I trust we will all agree, it represents just the first of many steps we must take, and now, if you will forgive me for continuing with the sports analogies, we will pass the baton to the wireless service providers and manufacturers, to get us all to the finish line. I know you are committed to making real-time text work, and I thank you for that. But I am also looking to you, relying on you, urging you, to provide the necessary support for real-time text, in order for it to fulfill its promise. Continue to work with consumer groups to ensure that the needs of the communities they represent are met by implementing features and capabilities that support successful deployment and broad adoption of real-time text. This is your chance to show us that you, that the market, can successfully address these issues without a mandate from us to do so. And to the consumer advocates, who worked tirelessly over the past 15 years to get to this historic moment, I say thank you for your persistence, perseverance and passion. You have much to be proud of today. To Alison Kutler, Karen Peltz Strauss and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau staff, who spent countless hours writing and re-writing this item, you are indeed first in class. Your unwavering commitment to advancing policies that tangibly and positively impact the lives of Americans with disabilities is truly inspiring.