[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[June 12, 1998]
[Page 948]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Federal Communications Commission Decision on the E-
Rate
June 12, 1998

    I applaud the decision by the Federal Communications Commission to 
move forward with the ``e-rate''--a critical initiative to connect our 
schools, libraries, and rural health centers to the Internet. Although I 
had urged that the e-rate be fully funded, I remain committed to the 
goal of ensuring that every child has access to the tools they need to 
compete in the 21st century.
    The e-rate will help create opportunity in the information age for 
children and communities all over America. Together with our Technology 
Literacy Challenge Fund, the e-rate will ensure that for the first time 
in our Nation's history, a child in the most isolated inner city or 
rural town will have access to the same universe of knowledge as a child 
in the most affluent suburb. Parents will be able to communicate more 
frequently with teachers and keep up with the progress of their child in 
school. Our children will be ``technologically literate'' and better 
prepared for the high-tech, high-wage jobs our economy is creating in 
record numbers.
    I call upon all Members of Congress to support the FCC's decision. I 
will steadfastly oppose any effort to pull the plug on the e-rate and 
our children's future or to thwart the FCC's ability to move forward 
with this initiative.