THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

                    STATEMENT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 
          ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT

Today, as we approach the second anniversary of the landmark Telecommunications Act, there is no question that it is the right approach for America's economy, and for America's future. The Information and Communication industry is now the single largest and fastest growing industry in the United States. If we want this industry to grow and to thrive -- if we want to create more high-paying jobs in this new economy -- we need the greater competition, greater investment, greater innovation, and consumer choice that the Telecommunications Act promises to create.

When we fought for and won this first overhaul of America's telecommunications laws in two generations -- updating communications laws that were virtually unchanged since the golden days of radio -- we knew that the change and growth we sought would not happen overnight. So it is not surprising that some are clinging to the status quo they have come to know so well. But we cannot build the Information Age economy with industrial age policies. We need to stay on the road to competition -- and that is why the President and I urge all involved in implementing this Act to redouble their efforts to open all communication markets. That's the only way top build the 21st century economy we all deserve.

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