[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 9 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Page 333]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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 Grant Hyatt Hotel in San 
Francisco, CA, for later broadcast. The remarks were also made available 
on the White House Press Radio Actuality Line.