[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60427-60428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29028]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 991101293-9293-01]


Public Meeting, Digital Divide Summit

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce, William M. Daley, will host a 
Digital Divide Summit, focused on expanding access to new technologies 
for underserved populations and areas. Secretary Daley will lead the 
dialogue among participants from the U.S. Government, technology 
industry, civil rights and non-profit communities, grass-roots 
community organizations, and the general public.

DATES: The Digital Divide Summit will be held on December 9, 1999 from 
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Digital Divide Summit will be held at the U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Main Auditorium, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Joyner, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4713, Washington, D.C. 
20230; telephone (202) 482-1816; facsimile (202) 501-8013; or 
electronic mail <[email protected]>.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, at (202) 482-7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Information tools, such as the personal 
computer and the Internet, are increasingly critical to economic 
success and personal advancement. On July 8, 1999, the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a 
report, Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide, that 
found a growing gap between those with access to these tools and those 
without. As information technology plays an ever-increasing role in 
Americans' economic and social lives, the prospect that some will be 
left behind in the information age can have

[[Page 60428]]

serious repercussions. The digital divide threatens to impede the 
health of our communities, development of a skilled workforce, and the 
economic welfare of our nation.
    On December 9, 1999, the Secretary of Commerce, William M. Daley, 
will host a Digital Divide Summit, focused on expanding access to 
information technologies for underserved populations and areas. 
Secretary Daley will lead the dialogue among participants from the U.S. 
Government, technology industry, civil rights and non-profit 
communities, grass-roots community organizations, and the general 
public. The participants will examine existing public and private 
initiatives aimed at closing the technology gap and will discuss how to 
expand upon and coordinate these efforts. Closing the digital divide is 
an essential part of President Clinton's New Markets Initiative, which 
seeks to bring America's prosperity to economically underserved areas.
    The Digital Summit will be held at the Department of Commerce and 
will include an address by Secretary Daley; a roundtable discussion 
with representatives from the public and private sectors; and six 
breakout sessions. The topics of these smaller sessions include 
Technology and Economic Development in Underserved Areas; Sustainable 
Public Access Points; Lowering Barriers to Access through New Product 
Development; Marketing to and Content for Underserved Populations; 
Rural Communities--Targeted Solutions; and Workforce Development--
Training and Education.

Agenda:

7:30-8:30 a.m.  Registration, Lobby
8:30-9:50 a.m.  Breakout Sessions, Various Rooms
9:50-10:00 a.m.  Break
10:15-10:30 a.m.  Secretary Daley, Remarks, Main Auditorium
10:30-12:30 a.m.  Roundtable, Audience Questions, Main Auditorium
12:30-12:40 p.m.  Secretary Daley, Closing, Main Auditorium

The agenda is subject to change. For current agenda information, please 
see the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's 
website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/digitaldivide/summit/.
    Public Participation: The Digital Divide Summit is open to the 
public and physically accessible to people with disabilities. To enter 
the Commerce Department building, you must have photo identification 
available and/or a U.S. Government building pass if applicable. To 
facilitate entry, you should also bring your registration form with 
you, if available. Any member of the public wishing to attend and 
requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation or 
other ancillary aids, should contact Sarah Maloney, NTIA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, at least five (5) working days prior to the 
Summit, at either telephone number (202) 482-1835 or electronic mail at 
<[email protected]>.
    Registration: Information about paper and electronic registration 
for the Digital Divide Summit will be available on the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration website at http://
www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/digitaldivide/summit/. Or contact Jeffrey 
Joyner, NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, 
N.W., Room 4713, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone (202) 482-1816; 
facsimile (202) 501-8013; or electronic mail 
<[email protected]>. Please indicate on the registration form 
which breakout session you wish to attend. In addition, space is 
provided at the end of the registration material if you would like to 
share a description of activities you are undertaking on ideas you have 
to address the digital divide. You can also raise questions or concerns 
that relate to the topic. We will collect and distribute these ideas 
and questions to Summit participants.

    National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Kathy D. Smith,
Acting Chief Counsel,
[FR Doc. 99-29028 Filed 11-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P