FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:				NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:	
April 24, 2002							Jordan Goldstein at (202) 418-2000


STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS

Re:  	Request for Review of the Decision of the Universal Service Administrator by Information 
Technology Department, State of North Dakota, Bismarck, North Dakota, DA 02-956
      
      Hundreds of schools and libraries successfully filed electronic applications for E-Rate 
discounts within the filing window, but failed to mail a signed certification until after the 
window had closed.  As a result, these schools and libraries -- including many rural and poor 
schools in North Dakota, Puerto Rico, and numerous other places – were denied discounts to 
connect their classrooms and libraries to the Internet.  I am troubled when so many deserving 
schools are denied funding, particularly as in this case, when the rules were changed and are 
being applied for the first time.  Given these facts, I would have supported granting a one-time 
waiver to provide funding to these schools and libraries.


- FCC -



 

NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).