FC: House Science committee votes to bridge digital divide!

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Tue Jul 22 2003 - 21:23:01 PDT

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    A press release from the committee:
    
    H.R. 2801, Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
    Opportunity Act of 2003
    Introduced by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), H.R. 
    2801 would address the "digital divide" - the disparity in access to 
    technology between whites and minority populations.   The bill would 
    establish a $250 million per year grant program within the Department of 
    Commerce's Technology Administration, to strengthen the ability of Minority 
    Serving Institutions (MSIs) to provide instruction in digital and wireless 
    network technologies.  The bill was originally introduced as H.R. 
    2183.  But in consultation with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senate- 
    companion-bill-sponsor Senator George Allen (R-VA), the legislation was 
    altered and reintroduced as H.R. 2801, and the grant program was moved from 
    the National Science Foundation to the Department of Commerce.
    
    The Committee adopted an amendment by Chairman Boehlert emphasizing that 
    the technology could be used to educate teachers in science, math, 
    engineering, and technology.  Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) also 
    introduced an amendment to acknowledge the achievements and contributions 
    of African-American scientists, mathematicians, and inventors.  The bill 
    and both amendments were approved by voice vote.
    
    "Full access to technology has become a standard, not a bonus, in how we 
    communicate and do our jobs every day," said Forbes.  "Minority-Serving 
    Institutions lack even the standard information and digital technology 
    infrastructure, placing students at a disadvantage to compete and qualify 
    for America's best paying jobs."
    
    Rep. Johnson added, "I am so pleased about this markup today because 
    minority serving institutions will prepare a growing portion of the future 
    science and technology workforce, simply because demographics dictate that 
    minority students will comprise a greater and greater share of the Nation's 
    college-aged population. It is in the national interest to ensure that 
    minority serving institutions have the capability to provide a quality 
    education for their students."
    
    
    
    
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