[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2000)]
[Page 2499]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Legislative Agenda To Bridge the Digital Divide

October 16, 2000

    I am pleased by a new report released today by the Commerce 
Department, documenting a sharp increase in the number of Americans that 
have access to computers and the Internet. Although much more remains to 
be done to bridge the digital divide and create digital opportunity for 
all Americans, I am especially pleased that many low- income, rural, and 
minority households are beginning to ``get connected'' at rates faster 
than the national average.
    Access to these information age tools is becoming critical to full 
participation in America's economic, political, and social life. 
Americans are using the Internet to vote, look for work, acquire new 
skills, and communicate with their children's teachers. To ensure that 
we continue to make progress in bridging the digital divide, I urge 
Congress to fund the initiatives that I have proposed in my budget. 
These include my proposals to fully fund community technology centers, 
preparing tomorrow's teachers to use technology, assistive technology 
for people with disabilities, and the Commerce Department's home 
Internet access and technology opportunity program.