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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release June 12, 1998

                STATEMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT GORE ON THE 
         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S VOTE ON THE E-RATE

Today the Federal Communications Commission wisely rejected efforts by those who would turn out the lights on our children by pulling the plug on the E-rate -- a new program to connect classrooms, libraries and rural health centers to the Internet.

While it is disappointing that the E-Rate will not be fully funded at this time, today's decision is an important next step toward connecting America's children to the Internet. My commitment to preparing our children for the 21st century will not end until every child in every classroom and library in America can tap into the Internet.

Taken together, the actions to reform the new schools and libraries program which the FCC took this week help to put the E-Rate program on solid footing and help us achieve the goal to connect every classroom to the Internet. It is a step toward bringing our educational system into the 21st Century.

We will fight to protect our children's future and oppose any effort by Congress to eliminate or delay the goal of expanding the educational horizons of our children.

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