Rep. Bobby Rush Press Release on E-Rate.
Date: June 5, 1998.
Source: Office of Rep. Rush.  This document was created by scanning a fax copy of the original, and converting it to HTML.  The letterhead seal is not reproduced in this document.
See also: Rep. Rush's comments at June 5 Press Conference.

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20615

RUSH FIGHTS TO KEEP NATI0NAL INTERNET PROGRAM FUNDED

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) is working to keep the needs of our nation's children a top priority. At issue is funding of the education rate (E-rate) program, which provides our nation's poorest schools and libraries with discounted costs for access to wiring for the internet and other telecommunication services. The FCC and Congress will be voting to suspend or continue this funding next week. "To date, more than 30,000 schools and libraries have applied to participate in the E-rate program," said Rush. "If funding is derailed, our children will be left roadside along the information superhighway."

The E-rate is funded by the telecommunications industry but some telecommunication companies are threatening the program's future. "The phone companies are engaging in corporate guerilla warfare and our children's future are at stake," Rush stated. The industry is blaming the E-rate program for higher costs and are passing those costs onto their consumers. Under the telecommunications act of 1996, the industry is to recoup its contributions through lower local access charges and expanded market share, as schools and libraries expand their telecommunications infrastructure under the program.

Rush is soliciting the support of the President and his Congressional colleagues to ensure the finding will continue. In addition, Rush, joined by Education Secretary Richard W. Riley, U.S. Sen. J. Rockefeller (D-WV), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and several other members, held a strategy meeting today to organize their efforts behind e-rate program funding. "This is more than an education issue, it is a moral issue. No other battle is nobler than this," Rush said.