[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE E IN E-RATE IS FOR EDUCATION NOT EVASION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 1998

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support putting the E, 
for education, back in the e-rate.
  One of the most touted accomplishments of the 104th Congress was the 
passage of the Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996. This legislation 
was hailed as the progenitor of a new era of technological innovation, 
entrepreneurial creativity and enhanced consumer choice in the 
telecommunications sector.
  But what has happened since telecom reform passed has been the 
opposite of what was promised.
  Local telephone rates have increased in many regions of our Nation. 
Competition has been threatened as major long-distance carriers rush to 
create a big brother bell from the babies antitrust had mandated a few 
years before.
  Telecom conglomerates that spent millions lobbying this institution 
for reform have reaped the rewards of their aggressive advocacy 
efforts. Their profits are soaring.
  However, despite these record gains, telecom's corporate giants have 
bluntly told our children that they are not going to honor their 
obligation to provide affordable technology for schools and libraries.
  Recently, new telephone service surcharges have been imposed on 
consumers by a number of telecommunications companies.
  These new fees will pass the costs of providing needed technology 
discounts to schools and libraries on to the consumers. This is 
intolerable.
  The e-rate program is one of the few sections of the 
telecommunications bill that can directly benefit our young people.
  The demands for technology in our schools is every-increasing and the 
longer we wait to meet this demand the further our Nation's children 
fall behind in the information age economy.
  The telecom giants have earned billions through telecom reform. They 
should keep their promise to America's children.
  Mr. Speaker, the E in e-rate is for education not evasion.
  I urge the telecom giants to support the education of our children 
and stop evading their responsibilities.

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