[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1306-E1307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                 EDSAT

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, today Congresswoman Connie 
Morella and I will be reintroducing legislation designed to facilitate 
the development of an integrated, nationwide telecommunications system 
dedicated to education. This bill would guarantee the acquisition of a 
satellite system to be used solely for communications among State and 
local instructional resource providers.
  Certainly every student in America deserves equal access to quality 
education. Unfortunately, not every small rural or poor inner-city 
school can afford to hire specialized instructors to provide the 
education for children the way that schools in larger and wealthier 
communities can.
  One way to bridge this gap is through the use of satellite technology 
for distance learning. With the efficient use of an integrated, 
satellite-based communications system linked by cable and telephone 
lines, distance learning can provide children access to vase 
educational resources, regardless of wealth or geographic location.
  I have long been interested in helping to strengthen and improve the 
utilization of telecommunications in the U.S. economy and educational 
institutions. The need for a satellite dedicated solely to education 
programming has been apparent since the issue was raised at the 1989 
education summit. Since that time, the nonprofit National Education 
Telecommunications Organization [NETO], along with its wholly owned 
subsidiary, the Education Satellite Corporation [EDSAT], has been 
working to improve the availability of educational programming for 
schools, universities, and libraries across the country.
  The EDSAT Institute found that while the education sector is 
expanding and investing heavily in telecommunications systems, they are 
often not able to commit to expensive long-term contracts with 
satellite providers. This puts them at a competitive disadvantage with 
other buyers of satellite time. In addition, as occasional users, the 
education sector is forced to pay high and variable prices for 
undependable services.
  Finally, the current system is set up so that educational programs 
are often spread out among 12 to 15 satellites. Every time the user 
wants to switch to a different program, they have to adjust their 
satellite dish. NETO's goal is to create the infrastructure necessary 
to establish an integrated telecommunications system at affordable 
costs to the education sector.
  Dedicating a satellite for education and collocating programming that 
is now scattered across numerous satellites will allow schools to 
receive far more educational programming--without constantly 
reorienting their satellite dishes. Collocation will also enhance the [[Page E 
1307]] marketing of programming, reduce technical problems, and 
stabilize the pricing of satellite time.
  Federal backing of such a system will not only heighten the 
educational opportunities for our children, but it will also benefit 
State and local educational agencies by ultimately reducing their 
expenses for satellite services and equipment. Further, while distance 
learning can never replace classroom teachers, it does provide 
educators with an additional tool with which to teach.
  This is just the first step and certainly not the only answer to 
solving the problems that schools face in using satellites. However, I 
believe that it is an important step for the Federal Government to take 
to help encourage the use of technology in the education sector. 
Improving the accessibility and quality of education will help our 
children and our national economy as a whole to become stronger and 
more competitive in the global marketplace.


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