GORE CALLS FOR SOLUTIONS TO CORRECT 'DIGITAL DIVIDE'
USIA
28 July 1998
TEXT: GORE CALLS FOR SOLUTIONS TO CORRECT 'DIGITAL DIVIDE'
(DoC report on computer usage in U.S. troubles him) (510)
Washington -- Vice President Al Gore says he is troubled by the
findings reported by the Department of Commerce after a "thorough
analysis of Internet and computer usage in America."
In a written statement released July 28, the vice president said that
while "many more Americans now own computers, minorities and
low-income households are still far less likely to have personal
computers or on-line access to the Internet than white or more
affluent households. And even more alarming, today's study reveals
that this 'digital divide' between households of different races and
income levels is growing."
Gore commended the "E-Rate" program, saying there is an absolute
necessity for such programs and now is the time to bridge the "digital
divide." The "E-Rate" program provides schools and libraries with
"discounts of 20 to 90 percent on telecommunications services,
internal connections, and Internet access -- with the deepest
discounts going to the poorest urban and rural schools."
Following is the text of the press release:
(Begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
Tuesday, July 28, 1998
STATEMENT BY VICE PRESIDENT GORE ON DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE REPORT
ABOUT THE GROWING DIGITAL DIVIDE
Three months ago, I called on the Department of Commerce to conduct a
thorough analysis of Internet and computer usage in America. Today,
Commerce Secretary Daley released a report on these trends -- and the
findings are troubling.
The data shows that, although many more Americans now own computers,
minorities and low-income households are still far less likely to have
personal computers or on-line access to the Internet than white or
more affluent households. And even more alarming, today's study
reveals that this "digital divide" between households of different
races and income levels is growing.
These findings underscore the absolute necessity for programs, such as
the E-Rate, that reach out to communities that otherwise lack
electronic resources. Under the E-Rate, schools and libraries receive
discounts of 20 to 90 percent on telecommunications services, internal
connections, and Internet access -- with the deepest discounts going
to the poorest urban and rural schools.
In short, the E-Rate program will enable all of our children to mine
the riches of our electronic resources, giving them the skills they
need to compete in our increasingly high-tech economy.
The E-Rate is one of our most powerful tools to bridge the digital
divide because it can help us ensure that, for the first time in our
nation's history, a child in the most isolated inner city or rural
town will have access to the same universe of knowledge as a child in
the most affluent suburb.
Now is the time to bridge the digital divide, prevent those who can
benefit the most from falling through the net, and move forward with
the E-Rate so that all our children have access to the tools they need
to succeed in the 21st century, regardless of race, income, or
location.
(End text)