EMFA: T2E9 - US Vice President on Connecting Communities - Gore

["E-Mail for All" <emfa@publicus.net>]

- - E-Mail for All - - - EMFA-EVENT - - - Universal Access - -
      http://www.iaginteractive.com/emfa - Details Below


Theme: Universal Internet - Essay 9
Author: Al Gore, Vice President of the United States
E-mail: Vice.President@whitehouse.gov


CONNECTING COMMUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

 I am very pleased to participate in this online conversation 
addressing the important topic of Universal Access. One of the 
most important goals that President Clinton and I have set
for this country is to give every child in America access to 
high quality educational technology by the dawn of the new 
century and to make sure that every person in America --
regardless of race, income or where they live -- will be able to 
participate in and benefit from the Information Revolution we are 
currently experiencing. 

 The power of the Information Revolution is unmistakable. Two 
years ago, 40 million people were connected to the Internet.  
Last year, it was 100 million.  Traffic on the Internet is 
doubling every 100 days.

 As this amazing potential unfolds, we must not lose sight of 
the real benefit of the Internet: using this powerful 
communications medium to strengthen our communities, improve our 
schools and support democracy in our nation and around the 
world. We must ensure that these tools are used to bring us 
together and not drive us apart.

 Internet access for our nation's children is one of our top 
information age priorities. That is why this Administration 
supported the E-Rate -- special discounts for schools and 
libraries of 20% to 90% on telecommunications services, internal 
connections, and Internet access, with the deepest discounts 
going to the poorest urban and rural schools that need it most.  

  Last week we announced efforts that will help us reach our 
goal of providing all children access to the Internet regardless 
of race, geography, or income.  Recent studies showed that 
only 14% of poor classrooms have Internet access and that there 
is also a digital divide drawn along race lines.  Through 
Netdays, the E-Rate telecommunications discounts, and other 
educational technology programs, all children will have access 
to the Internet by the year 2000, regardless of race, geography 
or income.

  As schools get online, I encourage educators to share best 
practices with each other and broader community.  The exchange 
of e-mail among students, teachers, and parents to complement 
other forms of communication should be explored.  Having 
students share their skills and knowledge with the larger 
community through service projects is one way to bring more of 
us along into the information age.

 Public access to the Internet for those who do not have access 
in their homes or work places is increasingly important. 
Libraries play a crucial role and the E-rate will increase the 
number public access sites available.  Most of the solutions and 
passion for providing broad access to today's Internet exists at 
the community level.  We need to promote efforts that bring 
these access points to the people on the other side of digital 
divide. Opening schools for Internet public access at 
appropriate times, expanding library access options, and 
bringing computer technology, training, and Internet 
connectivity into public housing complexes, senior centers, job 
training and social service centers, and diverse community 
locations should be encouraged.

 With each technological advancement also comes an opportunity 
for more efficient and effective public use.  With digital 
broadcasting, we will be able to stream web pages into homes 
along with the improved picture quality.  At the community level 
what kinds of information should be universally accessible? 
Important public health warnings, neighborhood watch 
announcements, weather alerts, traffic information and school 
lunch menus would certainly be part of the content I'd like to 
see on the Internet.

 I want to thank the Markle Foundation's E-Mail for All effort 
for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and wish you 
luck with the rest of the event.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 Markle Foundation's E-Mail for All Universal Access Event
 WWW/Un/Subscribe Info: http://www.iaginteractive.com/emfa
 Sub To: majordomo@publicus.net Body: subscribe emfa-event

 Forward event posts via e-mail to others, for details on
 other uses or to send general comments:  emfa@publicus.net
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -