Rep. Bobby Rush Press Release.
Re:  Response to FCC Announcement Regarding Schools and Libraries Fund.
Date: June 12, 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 PLEASED WITH FCC CONTINUANCE OF E-RATE FUNDING

Washington, D.C. -  I am please to learn today of the FCC's decision to continue to fund the E-rate program.  With their decision, the nation's poorest schools and libraries will receive the necessary funding to wire their schools for internet access and all schools will receive discounted costs for telephone charges incurred for the telecommunications services.

I have long supported the E-rate program.  It is one of the strongest steps our country can take to ensure that we do not erect a digital divide on the Information Superhighway that rests on the pillars of race and class discrimination.

The FCC's decison was made in the face of threats by telephone companies to raise their rates to cover the internet hook-up costs and list the rate increase on the consumer's bill as a federally mandated tax.  In order to counteract the phone companies attacks, I have co-sponsored the "Truth in Billing" bill which requires the long distance carriers to list both costs and the financial benefits realized by the phone companies under the E-rate program.

Presently, more than 30,000 schools and libraries have applied to participate in the E-rate program, including over 200 in my own district.