TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

PRESERVING A STRONG EDUCATION COMMITMENT IN THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND

WHEREAS, most of the new jobs being created in today’s economy require applicants to have extensive knowledge of computers and computer applications; and

WHEREAS, the majority of students attending public schools do not have home computers; and

WHEREAS, most public school districts and public libraries do not have the internal resources to fund a comprehensive technology plan for their schools and libraries; and

WHEREAS, mayoral involvement in schools and educational technology can have an important impact upon students, teachers, parents, and the general fabric of the community; and

WHEREAS, the "Telecommunications Act of 1996" directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to commit Universal Service Fund resources to schools and libraries as part of its overhaul of federal communications laws and policies governing telecommunications providers; and

WHEREAS, on May 8th, 1997, the FCC released an order which established the federal universal service support mechanisms for schools and libraries, known as the "Universal Service Fund"; and

WHEREAS, the fund is intended to insure that all students, regardless of income or socio-economic background, have access to state-of-the-art technology in their classrooms and libraries; and

WHEREAS, the fund was designed to be available in 1998 and subsequent years at a level of $2.25 billion per year; and

WHEREAS, some large telecommunications companies and others are intent upon reducing the size of the fund or eliminating the fund entirely,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges that the Universal Service Fund, which is so vital to bringing technology to all schools and libraries, be preserved and that Congress not end or change the execution of the FCC’s enabling order; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress support a fully funded education element ("E-rate") of the Universal Service Fund in 1998 and in subsequent years capable of supporting a $2.25 billion commitment to schools and libraries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors to underscore its support of this initiative urges Mayors to write and call their U.S. Representatives and Senators conveying their strong support of the fund.