borrowers by these institutions are obtained primarily through the sale of securities to investors in the Nation's capital markets. The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, as amended (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-1), established the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (commonly known as "Farmer Mac''). The Corporation, designated as part of the Farm Credit System, is a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and promotes the development of a secondary market for agricultural real estate and rural housing loans. Farmer Mac also provides guarantees for the timely payment of principal and interest on securities, representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of agricultural real estate loans. The Administration is responsible for the examination and regulation of Farmer Mac to ensure the safety and soundness of its operations. The Administration manages regulations under which Farm Credit institutions operate. These regulations implement the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, and have the force and effect of law. Similar to other Federal regulators of financial institutions, the Administration's authorities include the power to issue cease-and-desist orders, to levy civil monetary penalties, to remove officers and directors of Farm Credit institutions, and to establish financial and operating reporting requirements. Although it is prohibited from participation in routine management or operations of Farm Credit institutions, the Administration is authorized to become involved in these institutions' management and operations when the Farm Credit Act or its regulations have been violated, when taking an action to correct an unsafe or unsound practice, or when assuming a formal conservatorship over an institution. The Administration does not operate on funds appropriated by Congress. Its income is derived from assessments collected from the institutions it regulates and examines. In addition to the headquarters office located in McLean, VA, the Administration maintains 6 field offices located in Aurora, CO; Bloomington, MN; Irving, TX; Marietta, GA; Sacramento, CA; and St. Louis, MO. Authority for the organization and activities of the institutions comprising the cooperative Farm Credit System and that operate under the regulation of the Farm Credit Administration may be found in the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (12 U.S.C. 2001). Sources of Information Inquiries for information on the following subjects may be directed to the specified office, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102-5090. Contracts and Procurement Inquiries regarding the Administration's procurement and contracting activities should be directed in writing to Contracting and Procurement. Phone, 703-883-4149. Employment Inquiries regarding employment with the Administration should be directed to the Human Resources Division. Phone, 703-8834135. Freedom of Information Requests Requests for agency records must be submitted in writing, clearly identified with "FOIA Request" and addressed to the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. Phone, 703-883-4056. Publications Publications and information on the Farm Credit Administration may be obtained by writing the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. Phone, 703-883-4056. For further information, contact the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102-5090. Phone, 703-883-4056. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20554 Phone, 202-418-0200. TDD, 202-632-6999 (For the Federal Communications Commission statement of organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 0] The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and foreign communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. It is responsible for the orderly development and operation of broadcast services and the provision of rapid, efficient nationwide and worldwide telephone and telegraph services at reasonable rates. Its responsibilities also include the use of communications for promoting safety of life and property and for strengthening the national defense. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was created by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) to regulate interstate and foreign communications by wire and radio in the public interest. The Commission was assigned additional regulatory jurisdiction under the provisions of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 (47 U.S.C. 701744), and a major overhaul of the Communications Act of 1934 was enacted with passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat. 56). The scope To assist the Commission in exercising its responsibility in the adjudicatory process, there is a Review Board to review initial decisions and write decisions and the Office of the General Counsel to assist the Commission and individual Commissioners in the disposition of matters arising in cases of adjudication (as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. note prec. 551)) that have been designated for hearings. There also is a corps of administrative law judges, qualified and appointed pursuant to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, who conduct evidentiary adjudicatory hearings and write initial decisions. Activities Mass Media The Mass Media Bureau administers the regulatory program for amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), television, low-power TV, translators, multipoint distribution service (MDS), instructional TV, and auxiliary services. The Bureau issues construction permits, operating licenses, and renewals or transfers of such broadcast licenses except for broadcast auxiliary services. It also oversees compliance by broadcasters with statutes and Commission policies. For further information, contact the Mass Media The Common Carrier Communications Common Carrier Bureau administers the regulatory program for interstate common carrier communications by telephone. Common carriers include companies, organizations, or individuals providing communications services to the public for hire, who must serve all who wish to use them at established rates. In providing interstate communications services, common carriers may employ landline wire or electrical or optical cable facilities. For further information, contact the Common Carrier Bureau. Phone, 202-418-1500. Wireless Telecommunications The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau administers all domestic commercial and private wireless telecommunications programs and rules. The commercial wireless services include cellular, paging, personal communications, specialized mobile radio, air-ground, For further information, contact the Wireless 0600. International Bureau The International Bureau manages all FCC international telecommunications and satellite programs and policies, and has the principal representational role on behalf of the Commission at international conferences, meetings, and negotiations. The Bureau consists of three divisions: Telecommunications, Satellite and Radiocommunication, and Planning and Negotiations. The Telecommunications Division develops and administers policy, rules, and procedures for the regulations of telecommunications facilities and services under section 214 of the Communications Act and Cable Landing License Act. In addition, the Division develops and administers regulatory assistance and training programs in conjunction with the administration's global information infrastructure (GII) initiative. The Satellite and Radiocommunication Division develops and administers policy, rules, standards, and procedures for licensing and regulation of satellite and earth station facilities, both international and domestic, and oversight of Comsat as the U.S. Signatory to INTELSAT and Inmarsat. The Planning and Negotiations Division represents the Commission in negotiations of international agreements with Mexico, Canada, and other countries on the coordination and For further information, contact the International Cable Services Communications The Cable Services Bureau develops, recommends, and administers policies and programs for the regulation of cable television systems. The Bureau advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and development of cable television. The Bureau is responsible for: -investigating complaints and answering general inquiries from the public; -planing and developing proposed rulemakings and conducting comprehensive studies and analyses (legal, social, and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes; -processing applications for authorizations in the cable television relay service; -participating in hearings before Administrative Law Judges, the Review Board, and the Commission; -conducting studies and compiling data relating to the cable industry for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program; -collaborating and coordinating with State and local authorities in matters involving cable television systems; and -advising and assisting the public, other Government agencies, and industry groups on cable television regulation and related matters. Engineering and Technology The Office of Engineering and Technology administers the Table of Frequency Allocations which specifies the frequency ranges that can be utilized by various radio services. The Office also administers the Experimental Radio Service and the Equipment Authorization Program. The Experimental Radio Service permits the public to experiment with new uses of radio frequencies. This allows development of radio equipment and exploration of new radio techniques prior to licensing under other regulatory programs. The Equipment Authorization Program includes several specific procedures by which the agency approves radio equipment as a prerequisite to importation, marketing, or use. The procedures range from Commission testing of equipment samples for compliance with applicable standards, through FCC review of applications and accompanying test reports submitted by the applicants, to a self-authorization procedure whereby a manufacturer certifies that the product complies with the standards. For further information, contact the Office of Engineering and Technology. Phone, 202–4182470. Compliance Much of the investigative and enforcement work of the Commission is carried out by its field staff. The Compliance and Information Bureau has 3 regional offices and 35 field offices. It also operates a nationwide fleet of mobile radio direction-finding vehicles for technical enforcement purposes. The field staff, in effect, are the Commission's "eyes and ears" in detecting radio violations and enforcing rules and regulations. Continuous surveillance of the radio spectrum is maintained to detect unlicensed operation and activities or nonconforming transmissions, and to furnish radio bearings on ships and planes in distress. The Bureau also administers public information programs aimed at educating Commission licensees, industry, and the general |