[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1]]


                THE CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY ACT

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the 
Children's Access to Technology Act providing the disadvantaged 
children of this country with the technology they need to succeed in 
life. My legislation will provide Title I schools with additional 
financial resources to modernize their Internet delivery tools. 
Specifically, this legislation will utilize any unspent e-rate funding 
to provide Title I schools with a maximum $25,000 award to modernize 
their Internet labs.
  Mr. Speaker, the e-rate program has been very effective in bringing 
the Internet to libraries and classrooms across America. As a strong 
supporter of that program, I was disturbed to learn that crucial e-rate 
funding was going unspent because recipients were not following through 
with their paperwork confirming receipt of service. The Universal 
Service Administrative Company (USAC) is working to improve the timely 
utilization of authorized grants to approved school and library 
systems, but there will always be some unexpended funds in the program.
  Because any unspent e-rate funding is lost at the end of each program 
year, my legislation will create a new funding mechanism, using any 
unspent monies, that will allow Title I schools to update their 
computer hardware. Specifically, the legislation directs the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a lottery system for Title 
I schools to enter and be eligible to receive up to $25,000 to 
modernize their computer hardware.
  In light of President Bush's commitment to strengthen and streamline 
the e-rate program, I believe we must ensure that all funding made 
available through the USAC be spent on improving our children's access 
to new and innovative technology. While I understand USAC has taken 
steps to speed the grant process and close the unexpended funding gap, 
I still believe there will always be some unallocated funding at the 
end of each program year. In these instances, my legislation will 
provide an additional benefit to truly needy schools that are 
struggling to improve the delivery of Internet services to their 
students.
  Our children are our future; without innovating new approaches to 
provide better tools in our classroom, the now-passable digital divide 
will become an impenetrable digital barrier, unbreachable no matter how 
much funding we throw at the problem.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a complimentary piece of education legislation 
when compared with President Bush's proposals and will further enhance 
the educational opportunities of our children.

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