[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 28, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE NET CORPS ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to come to the House 
floor to speak about legislation I introduced last week, the National 
Education Technology Corps Act of 2001, or better known as NET Corps.
  As a former science teacher, principal and school board member, I am 
extraordinarily pleased that Congress is becoming more engaged in the 
plight of our schools. Much of the discussion centers on how the 
Federal Government can be more creative and how we can meet the needs 
of our schools. I agree that we do need to be more creative, and I am 
confident that the Net Corps Act is as intelligent and innovative as 
the backers, the high-tech industry, educators, and nonprofits.
  Representatives from each of these sectors recently attended a press 
conference in San Jose where they voiced their support for this bill 
and efforts to improve our education system. I crafted this bill in the 
spirit of the Peace Corps and Americorps, programs that are based on 
the premise that American citizens of all backgrounds have something 
constructive to offer underfunded and underserved communities.
  It is a shame that in America we must classify our schools as 
underfunded. As a member of the Committee on the Budget, I argue that 
it is a sad statement about our national values when our schools cannot 
offer our children the tools that will prepare them for the information 
economy.
  I often talk about accountability. No, not just teacher 
accountability, but also about holding our political institutions 
accountable for inadequately serving our schools. I am discouraged by 
the Republican budgetary earmarks for education. The vote today only 
reinforces how necessary it is for advocates of schools to be creative.
  NET Corps is creative and it is smart. The NET Corps program, an 
expansion of the Corporation for National Service, will recruit high-
tech savvy volunteers from academic institutions and high-tech 
companies. I am particularly excited by the inclusion of the high-tech 
companies in the NET Corps.
  The reality is that many high-tech companies already have organized 
programs and efforts to help our schools. Companies like 3Com and 
Silicon Graphics, Intel and Hewlett-Packard come immediately to mind. 
NET Corps rewards these companies for their efforts by providing them a 
20 percent tax credit on the time their employees have spent in schools 
working directly with teachers and school administrators. But NET Corps 
is not about rewarding companies who are already active; it is about 
enticing engaged companies to lend their employees to help our 
children. High-tech companies are receptive to this legislation because 
they understand that the future of America's IT economy rests on their 
ability to attract qualified workers.
  I am pleased to be joined in my effort by my distinguished colleague, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn). The gentleman from California 
(Mr. Horn), as a former president of the California State University at 
Long Beach, understands the great challenges our schools and children 
face, and he recognizes that NET Corps better prepares teachers to 
address these challenges. I am proud to have him as a cosponsor, and I 
look forward to working with him to pass this important legislation.
  Finally, let me say that since introducing this legislation, I have 
been contacted by countless high-tech employees, teachers, and parents 
who support this legislation. They are part of what I call the NET 
Corps movement.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in this movement. Our 
children's futures depend upon it.

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