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The Federal Trade Commission community joins with countless other friends of Janet D. Steiger in expressing our sadness in learning of her death this past weekend. Janet was an extraordinary public servant, and she provided inspired leadership to the FTC at a critical time in its history. During her tenure, she cemented the FTC’s credibility and role as an influential and pragmatic voice among its core constituents: consumer groups, business, Congress, and the States.

Janet was nominated by President George H. W. Bush, and sworn in as a member of the Commission on August 11, 1989. She served as Chairman from August 1989 until April 1995, and then as a Commissioner until September 1997.

Among her major accomplishments as FTC Chairman, Janet obtained congressional reauthorization of the agency in 1994, for the first time in 12 years. Under her leadership, the FTC, jointly with the Antitrust Division, issued a number of ground breaking statements of policy, including the 1992 DOJ/FTC Horizontal Merger Guidelines, the 1994 DOJ/FTC Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Healthcare, and the 1995 DOJ/FTC Antitrust Guidelines for the Licensing of Intellectual Property. Janet also began the FTC’s active international program of working with nations developing consumer protection and competition missions with grants from the Agency for International Development.

Among her special talents, Janet Steiger understood how to motivate people. She deftly managed competing interests, and knew how to get things done. Her savvy belied a keen sense of humor and an overwhelming concern for the many individuals who are a part of the FTC community. We individually, and as an Agency, are better for her exceptional devotion and service. I extend our deepest sympathies to Janet’s son, Dr. William Steiger, an assistant to Secretary Thompson at the Department of Health and Human Services, and her sister, Professor Ann Dempsey. We will miss Janet very much.

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