[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE MINGE-HOOLEY COMPREHENSIVE RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID MINGE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, today I announce the introduction of landmark 
legislation to help maintain the viability of America's rural economy. 
I join with my colleague Representative Darlene Hooley and members of 
the Democratic Rural Task Force in introducing the Comprehensive Rural 
Telecommunications Act.
  Several months ago, I was given the opportunity to chair the 
Democratic Rural Task Force. This task force was developed with the aim 
of pursuing initiatives which ensure our rural communities are not left 
behind in the new millennium. Many factors comprise a robust economy. 
That is true in an urban, suburban or rural community. It was my job to 
decide which economic sectors of rural America we could most 
realistically pursue.
  With the advice and input of the telecommunications innovators in my 
Congressional district, I saw the important need for a strong 
investment in telecommunications infrastructure to provide for the 
maintenance and future growth of rural America. The Internet creates 
great commercial opportunities; therefore, telecommunications 
infrastructures are more than ever a crucial tool of our economic 
development. However, rural communities are at a real disadvantage when 
it comes to building these new advanced networks, given their distance 
from urban centers and low population densities. Telecommunication 
providers often prefer to deploy advanced telecommunication systems in 
urban areas, where fixed costs are spread over more customers and 
volume is greater.
  The gentlewoman from Oregon and I set to work on an ambitious 
proposal that would take a comprehensive approach rather than several 
fragmented efforts. This collaborative effort led to the three part 
Comprehensive Rural Telecommunications Act. Our legislation combines 
incentives for infrastructure creation along with the educational 
opportunities needed to ensure a population who can utilize the new 
infrastructure.
  The legislation establishes National Centers for Distance Working 
which would provide training, referral, and employment-related services 
and assistance to individuals in rural communities and Indian Tribes to 
support the use of teleworking in information and high technology 
fields. These centers would help people in rural areas link up with 
employers so they could take advantage of new career opportunities even 
if they do not live in areas with numerous employers.
  To encourage infrastructure creation, the legislation provides a 10% 
to 15% tax credit on expenditures by companies deploying broadband (1.5 
MBPS) or enhanced broadband (10 MBPS) in rural areas. The legislation 
also authorizes the USDA's Rural Utility Service to provide up to $3 
billion in loans or credit extensions to eligible telecommunications 
carrier providers to finance the deployment of broadband service in 
rural communities.
  A special thanks goes to the esteemed Senators Dorgan, Rockefeller, 
and Wellstone. Much of this legislation is based on individual bills 
they have previously introduced. I would also like to thank the 
Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Representative Martin Frost.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my House colleagues join with me in 
supporting and passing the Minge-Hooley Comprehensive Rural 
Telecommunications Act, which is critical to rural America's future.

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