[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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