    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 1, 1999]
    [Pages 284-285]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Radio Remarks on Internet Accessibility in Classrooms
    March 1, 1999

        Vice President Gore and I have set a goal of connecting every
    classroom in America to the Internet. I'm pleased to announce that new
    Department of Education data show that more than half of all our
    Nation's classrooms are now connected--nearly twice as many connections
    as last year. And thanks to new E-rate discounts that help schools and
    libraries connect to the Internet, we'll reach our goal of every
    classroom and library connected by the year 2000.
        Computers and new educational software can make a real difference in
    the way teachers teach and a student learns. Because of our efforts,
    children in poorer or isolated areas will now have access to the same
    universe of knowledge as children in the most affluent suburbs. All

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    our children will be technologically literate and better prepared for
    the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future. But we also must make sure
    that teachers are as comfortable with a computer as they are with a
    chalkboard. That's why Congress should support my $800 million
    educational technology initiative, including more than $100 million for
    technology training for the teachers themselves.
        By giving our children the skills they need to succeed in the jobs
    of the future, we'll build a stronger nation for the 21st century. I
    want to especially thank Vice President Gore, who's done so much to put the future at the fingertips of
    our children.

    Note: The President's remarks were recorded at approximately 1:40 p.m.
    on February 26 in the Manager's Office at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San
    Francisco, CA, for later broadcast. These remarks were also made
    available on the White House Press Office Radio Actuality Line.