WASHINGTON, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- President Obama today (May 1) nominated Tom Wheeler to serve as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and announced that Commissioner Mignon Clyburn would serve as acting chair until Wheeler's confirmation. The following statement should be attributed to Craig Silliman, Verizon senior vice president, public policy:

"Verizon congratulates Commissioner Clyburn on her historic appointment as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission. We look forward to continuing to work with her.

"Verizon also congratulates Mr. Wheeler on his nomination; his experience and leadership will serve the commission well as it addresses policies involving the rapidly changing broadband and wireless industries. Verizon looks forward to working with him and the commission to shape pro-consumer and pro-innovation policies in the communications marketplace."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 99 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with nearly $116 billion in 2012 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 181,900. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon