Text | WordPerfect

fcclogo NEWS

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News media information 202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 202/418-2555


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).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 1999

CHAIRMAN KENNARD ISSUES STATEMENT ON 5TH CIRCUIT'S UNIVERSAL SERVICE RULING

Chairman William E. Kennard issued the following statement on July 30, 1999, concerning the 5th Circuit Court's Universal Service Decision released on that day:

Statement of FCC Chairman William E. Kennard on the Universal Service Ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

July 30, 1999


Today's ruling validates the FCC's decision to connect all of America's schools and libraries to the Internet through the e-rate and is a victory especially for America's children.

It is an endorsement of the bipartisan support that the e-rate program has enjoyed since it was passed by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This decision is further proof of the vision of Senators Snowe, Rockefeller, Exon, and Kerrey, and of the leadership of Vice President Gore.

Already, over one million classrooms have been wired to the Internet because of the e- rate. Now, we will move forward with our work to wire the remaining one-half of American classrooms that are unable to tap into the resources of the Internet. Soon, the opportunities that lie in these wires and web pages will reach all America's children from the inner-city to the suburbs, from our largest metropolis to the smallest town.

We are currently evaluating the details of the Court's decision, and are studying its implications for further FCC action.

- FCC -