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Resolutions Adopted at the
67th Annual Conference of Mayors
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 11-15, 1999 |
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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, on May 8th, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission 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, funding for schools and libraries was reduced from $2.25 billion to
$1.7 billion in discounts in 1998; and
WHEREAS, over 80,00 schools and libraries received $1.7 billion in discounts;
and
WHEREAS, the demand for subsidies continues to grow with the FCC receiving more
than 32,000 applications requesting over $2.4 billion in E-Rate discounts for this year;
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 1999 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.
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