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== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Rachelle B. Chong was born and raised in [[Stockton, California]]. Chong is the great-grandniece of [[Hong Yen Chang]], the first Chinese-American attorney.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1st Chinese American lawyer gets Columbia Law honor, highlights past barriers|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/1st-chinese-american-lawyer-gets-columbia-law-honor-highlights-past-n1252504|access-date=2022-02-16|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> Chong attended the [[University of California, Berkeley]], where she received dual degrees in political science and journalism. Chong received her [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of California, Hastings College of the Law]].<ref name=":0" />
Rachelle B. Chong was born on June 22, 1959 in [[Stockton, California]], where she was raised. Chong is the great-grandniece of [[Hong Yen Chang]], the first Chinese-American attorney.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1st Chinese American lawyer gets Columbia Law honor, highlights past barriers|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/1st-chinese-american-lawyer-gets-columbia-law-honor-highlights-past-n1252504|access-date=2022-02-16|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> Chong attended [[Lincoln High School (Stockton, California)|Lincoln High School]], where she edited the school newspaper.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-11|title=PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/01/11/puc-commissioner-faces-confirmation-hearing/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
Chong attended the [[University of California, Berkeley]], where she received dual degrees in political science and journalism. Chong received her [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of California, Hastings College of the Law]].<ref name=":0" />


== Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ==
== Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ==
Chong was appointed in May 1994 by President [[Bill Clinton]] to serve on the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC).<ref name=":0" /> At the time of her appointment, Chong worked as an attorney at [[San Francisco]]-based law firm [[Graham & James]], where she specialized in telecommunications law.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wharton|first=Dennis|last2=Wharton|first2=Dennis|date=1993-11-19|title=Chong has inside track to pick up GOP FCC seat|url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/chong-has-inside-track-to-pick-up-gop-fcc-seat-115955/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
Chong was appointed in May 1994 by President [[Bill Clinton]] to serve on the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC).<ref name=":0" /> At the time of her appointment, Chong worked as an attorney at [[San Francisco]]-based law firm [[Graham & James]], where she specialized in telecommunications law.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wharton|first=Dennis|last2=Wharton|first2=Dennis|date=1993-11-19|title=Chong has inside track to pick up GOP FCC seat|url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/chong-has-inside-track-to-pick-up-gop-fcc-seat-115955/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>


At age 35 years, Chong was the youngest member of the commission at the time of her appointment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brodsky|first=Art|title=FCC: The Next Generation|language=en-US|work=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/1995/02/fcc-the-next-generation/|access-date=2022-02-16|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> In 1997, Chong was replaced on the FCC by [[Michael Powell]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Clinton nominates Colin Powell's son to FCC|url=https://apnews.com/article/6212a323a7c3a0bbccb6a9d257afe465|access-date=2022-02-16|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref>
At age 35 years, Chong was the youngest member of the commission at the time of her appointment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brodsky|first=Art|title=FCC: The Next Generation|language=en-US|work=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/1995/02/fcc-the-next-generation/|access-date=2022-02-16|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> As a member of the FCC, Chong voted against an inquiry into the impact of [[liquor]] advertising on children.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farhi|first=Paul|date=July 10, 1997|title=FCC REJECTS INQUIRY ON LIQUOR ADS|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/07/10/fcc-rejects-inquiry-on-liquor-ads/1a8ac212-5744-46b6-84ef-f561ec5cf54f/|website=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref> Chong argued that if the agency investigated the impact of liquor ads, the FCC would arguably have "an obligation to also investigate car advertising that features air bags and sugared cereal advertising" as well.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Broder|first=John M.|date=1997-07-10|title=Tie Vote Blocks F.C.C. Inquiry On Liquor Ads|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/10/us/tie-vote-blocks-fcc-inquiry-on-liquor-ads.html|access-date=2022-02-17|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 1997, it was reported that Chong was unlikely to be appointed to a second term in office. According to [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']], amid uncertainty about whether she would be re-appointed to the FCC, Chong "took the unusual step of publicly campaigning for reappointment". The effort was reportedly controversial among organizations such as the conservative [[National Taxpayers Union]] (NTU), who wrote to Chong that they were "deeply disturbed by reports… that you are asking industry groups to support your nomination".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stern|first=Christopher|last2=Stern|first2=Christopher|date=1997-03-07|title=2nd term for FCC’s Chong looks unlikely|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/2nd-term-for-fcc-s-chong-looks-unlikely-1117343001/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> Chong was ultimately not selected for renomination, and was replaced on the FCC by [[Michael Powell]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Clinton nominates Colin Powell's son to FCC|url=https://apnews.com/article/6212a323a7c3a0bbccb6a9d257afe465|access-date=2022-02-16|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref>


== Post-FCC career ==
== Post-FCC career ==

From 2006 to 2009, Chong was appointed by Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] to the [[California Public Utilities Commission]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2009, the [[California State Senate]] blocked Chong from being confirmed for a full term in office.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-12-10|title=Senate blocks confirmation of PUC member Rachelle Chong|url=https://capitolweekly.net/senate-blocks-confirmation-of-puc-member-rachelle-chong/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Capitol Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2011, Chong was named by [[Comcast]] as the company's regional vice president of government affairs for California.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2011|title=Former FCC commissioner Rachelle Chong joins Comcast California|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/04/28/former-fcc-rachelle-chong-comcast.html|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Sacramento Business Journal}}</ref>
=== California Public Utilities Commission ===
From 2006 to 2009, Chong was appointed by Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] to the [[California Public Utilities Commission]] (PUC).<ref name=":1" /> As a member of the PUC, Chong was credited with helping to deregulate most [[landline]] services operating in California, a measure supported by [[AT&T]] and [[Verizon]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rothfield|first=Michael|date=2009-12-09|title=PUC member's bid for second term rejected|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-09-la-me-chong9-2009dec09-story.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The ''[[East Bay Times]]'' described Chong as "the California Public Utilities Commission member consumer advocates love to hate",<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2007-01-11|title=PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/01/11/puc-commissioner-faces-confirmation-hearing/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US}}</ref> and advocacy groups including the [[Consumer Federation of California]] mobilized in opposition to her confirmation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-04|title=Consumer groups urge CA Senate to reject Rachelle Chong|url=https://www.benton.org/headlines/consumer-groups-urge-ca-senate-reject-rachelle-chong|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Benton Foundation|language=en}}</ref> In 2009, the [[California State Senate]] blocked Chong from being confirmed for a full term in office.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-12-10|title=Senate blocks confirmation of PUC member Rachelle Chong|url=https://capitolweekly.net/senate-blocks-confirmation-of-puc-member-rachelle-chong/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Capitol Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Private sector ===
In 2011, Chong was named by [[Comcast]] as the company's regional vice president of government affairs for California.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2011|title=Former FCC commissioner Rachelle Chong joins Comcast California|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2011/04/28/former-fcc-rachelle-chong-comcast.html|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Sacramento Business Journal}}</ref> In 2020, Chong was named as a member of [[T-Mobile]]'s 14-member advisory committee on diversity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=published|first=John Eggerton|date=2020-09-23|title=T-Mobile Names Diversity Committee Members|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/t-mobile-names-diversity-committee-members|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Multichannel News|language=en}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Chong is a noted fan of [[Star Trek]], and while in office the FCC website noted that she was a "[[Trekkie]]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kamen|first=Al|date=September 26, 1997|title=DECOMMISSIONED|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/09/26/decommissioned/bdc4fd56-38aa-44bb-9fd3-fb6cd611676a/|website=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref>
Chong is a noted fan of [[Star Trek]], and while in office the FCC website noted that she was a "[[Trekkie]]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kamen|first=Al|date=September 26, 1997|title=DECOMMISSIONED|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/09/26/decommissioned/bdc4fd56-38aa-44bb-9fd3-fb6cd611676a/|website=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref> Chong was married to Kirk Del Prete, a fellow graduate of UC Hastings, until his death in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-11|title=PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/01/11/puc-commissioner-faces-confirmation-hearing/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016|title=UC Hastings (Spring 2016)|url=https://repository.uchastings.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1140&context=alumni_mag|website=[[University of California, Hastings]]|page=63|quote="Kirk Del Prete ’84 died on Aug. 30, 2015. Del Prete was a member of the Hastings Law Journal and Thurston Honor Society, and married Rachelle Chong ’84. For 11 years, he worked as the vice president of operations of Whalen & Company, helping lead projects to build wireless personal communications systems across North America. Recently, he was general counsel for the California Broadband Cooperative project."}}</ref> Chong is the mother of twins.<ref name=":2" />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 06:03, 17 February 2022

Rachelle B. Chong
Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission
In office
May 23, 1994 – November 3, 1997
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded bySherrie P. Marshall
Succeeded byMichael Powell
Personal details
Born (1959-06-22) June 22, 1959 (age 65)
Stockton, California
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley (B.A.)
University of California, Hastings (J.D.)

Rachelle B. Chong (born June 22, 1959) is an American attorney who served as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1994 to 1997.[1] A member of the Republican Party, Chong was the first Asian-American to serve on the FCC.[2] Chong later served as a commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission from 2006 to 2009.[3][4]

Early life and education

Rachelle B. Chong was born on June 22, 1959 in Stockton, California, where she was raised. Chong is the great-grandniece of Hong Yen Chang, the first Chinese-American attorney.[5] Chong attended Lincoln High School, where she edited the school newspaper.[6]

Chong attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she received dual degrees in political science and journalism. Chong received her J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.[2]

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Chong was appointed in May 1994 by President Bill Clinton to serve on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).[2] At the time of her appointment, Chong worked as an attorney at San Francisco-based law firm Graham & James, where she specialized in telecommunications law.[7]

At age 35 years, Chong was the youngest member of the commission at the time of her appointment.[8] As a member of the FCC, Chong voted against an inquiry into the impact of liquor advertising on children.[9] Chong argued that if the agency investigated the impact of liquor ads, the FCC would arguably have "an obligation to also investigate car advertising that features air bags and sugared cereal advertising" as well.[10]

In 1997, it was reported that Chong was unlikely to be appointed to a second term in office. According to Variety, amid uncertainty about whether she would be re-appointed to the FCC, Chong "took the unusual step of publicly campaigning for reappointment". The effort was reportedly controversial among organizations such as the conservative National Taxpayers Union (NTU), who wrote to Chong that they were "deeply disturbed by reports… that you are asking industry groups to support your nomination".[11] Chong was ultimately not selected for renomination, and was replaced on the FCC by Michael Powell.[12]

Post-FCC career

California Public Utilities Commission

From 2006 to 2009, Chong was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC).[3] As a member of the PUC, Chong was credited with helping to deregulate most landline services operating in California, a measure supported by AT&T and Verizon.[13] The East Bay Times described Chong as "the California Public Utilities Commission member consumer advocates love to hate",[14] and advocacy groups including the Consumer Federation of California mobilized in opposition to her confirmation.[15] In 2009, the California State Senate blocked Chong from being confirmed for a full term in office.[16]

Private sector

In 2011, Chong was named by Comcast as the company's regional vice president of government affairs for California.[17] In 2020, Chong was named as a member of T-Mobile's 14-member advisory committee on diversity.[18]

Personal life

Chong is a noted fan of Star Trek, and while in office the FCC website noted that she was a "Trekkie".[19] Chong was married to Kirk Del Prete, a fellow graduate of UC Hastings, until his death in 2015.[20][21] Chong is the mother of twins.[14]

References

  1. ^ Wharton, Dennis (1994-03-03). "Clinton names Chong to GOP seat on FCC". Variety.com. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Biography Of Rachelle Chong". Federal Communications Commission. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  3. ^ a b "Schwarzenegger Names Ex-FCC Member Chong to Utilities Commission". Metropolitan News-Enterprise. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  4. ^ Temple, James (2013-01-18). "AT&T rates skyrocket since deregulation". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  5. ^ "1st Chinese American lawyer gets Columbia Law honor, highlights past barriers". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  6. ^ "PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing". East Bay Times. 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  7. ^ Wharton, Dennis; Wharton, Dennis (1993-11-19). "Chong has inside track to pick up GOP FCC seat". Variety. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  8. ^ Brodsky, Art. "FCC: The Next Generation". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  9. ^ Farhi, Paul (July 10, 1997). "FCC REJECTS INQUIRY ON LIQUOR ADS". Washington Post.
  10. ^ Broder, John M. (1997-07-10). "Tie Vote Blocks F.C.C. Inquiry On Liquor Ads". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  11. ^ Stern, Christopher; Stern, Christopher (1997-03-07). "2nd term for FCC's Chong looks unlikely". Variety. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  12. ^ "Clinton nominates Colin Powell's son to FCC". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  13. ^ Rothfield, Michael (2009-12-09). "PUC member's bid for second term rejected". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  14. ^ a b "PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing". East Bay Times. 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  15. ^ "Consumer groups urge CA Senate to reject Rachelle Chong". Benton Foundation. 2007-01-04. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  16. ^ "Senate blocks confirmation of PUC member Rachelle Chong". Capitol Weekly. 2009-12-10. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  17. ^ "Former FCC commissioner Rachelle Chong joins Comcast California". Sacramento Business Journal. April 28, 2011. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  18. ^ published, John Eggerton (2020-09-23). "T-Mobile Names Diversity Committee Members". Multichannel News. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  19. ^ Kamen, Al (September 26, 1997). "DECOMMISSIONED". Washington Post.
  20. ^ "PUC commissioner faces confirmation hearing". East Bay Times. 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  21. ^ "UC Hastings (Spring 2016)". University of California, Hastings. 2016. p. 63. Kirk Del Prete '84 died on Aug. 30, 2015. Del Prete was a member of the Hastings Law Journal and Thurston Honor Society, and married Rachelle Chong '84. For 11 years, he worked as the vice president of operations of Whalen & Company, helping lead projects to build wireless personal communications systems across North America. Recently, he was general counsel for the California Broadband Cooperative project.
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