[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               FCC RULING

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, this morning the Federal Communications 
Commission made its ruling on implementation of the Universal Services 
Fund. They passed it by a 4-to-0 vote supporting the findings of the 
Federal-State joint board. This decision by them has opened the door to 
affordable Internet access for schools, libraries, and hospitals 
throughout this country.
  I want to congratulate Commissioner Hundt and his colleagues on the 
Commission for their leadership and their commitment to putting 
technology to work in our schools and in our communities.
  I also want to congratulate my colleagues, Senator Snowe, Senator 
Rockefeller, Senator Exon, and Senator Kerrey, especially, for their 
leadership in proposing the Universal Services discount as a provision 
in the Telecommunications Act which we passed last year.
  Their hard work on behalf of education technology was critical in 
getting us to this point.
  This Universal Services Fund will provide telecommunications 
discounts of between 20 and 90 percent, depending in part on the income 
levels of families in the particular school communities.
  I have done some back-of-the-envelope calculations about my State, 
and, as far as I can determine, the FCC's decision could mean a 
discount of more than 70 percent for many New Mexico schools.
  Education technology is important to my State. We have all seen how 
it can allow even the smallest or most isolated school across the State 
to develop a level playing field with larger school districts and, in 
fact, with wealthier States.
  In a cost-effective manner, education technology can provide advanced 
courses and access to amazing amounts of information for all of our 
students.
  That is why I am very proud. In 1994, we passed an act that I 
proposed entitled ``Technology in Education Act.'' That act will 
provide $200 million to America's schools for purchase of advanced 
technology. It has brought $1.7 million to my home State of New Mexico 
this year alone.
  I support the President's request in his budget to increase the 
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund from $200 million this year to $425 
million next year.
  The 1994 Technology in Education Act also created the Regional 
Technology in Education Consortia, these consortia providing schools 
and school districts with the technical assistance that they need to be 
full participants in this information age.
  This technical assistance will be more needed than ever now that the 
telecommunications costs will be less of an obstacle to schools seeking 
connections to the Internet.
  Our country has also made some progress in raising the awareness of 
the need for high academic standards. I serve on the National Education 
Goals Panel, and, as such, I have supported the effort to build a 
nation of learners, and education technology is an important part of 
doing that.
  One of the things that we have to do a better job of clearly is 
training teachers to be comfortable with this new technology. I believe 
we need to pursue legislation on this area this Congress. I hope to 
have a part in that.
  In my view, the educational technology movement will change the way 
people teach and learn from now on.
  Distance learning is more than delivering instruction any time and 
anywhere, although that is an important part of what is involved. It is 
also about giving teachers the resources that they need to be effective 
as learning coaches. It is about empowering students to explore and 
learn in ways that are best for them as individuals.
  Today's FCC ruling is an important step forward. I urge my colleagues 
in the Senate to help ensure that our teachers and schoolchildren have 
the best technology that we can offer as we prepare them for the 21st 
century.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut is recognized.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Chair.

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