Letters to the 107th Congress July 11, 2002 The Honorable Tom Harkin Chairman Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Arlen Specter Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Specter: I understand that you may mark up the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill in the near future. The Administration's proposed budget for FY 2003 calls for the elimination of funding for the Community Technology Center (CTC) initiative, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The CTC initiative is a competitive grant program designed to increase access to technology and the use of technology in underserved communities (e.g. rural, low-income). The American Bar Association strongly urges you to oppose the elimination of funding for the CTC initiative and award funding in the amount of $65 million. Over the past several years, technology has become an integral part of education, training, commerce, entertainment, politics, business and communications. It has reached global proportions and is used for a variety of activities ranging from tracking the latest news coverage to submitting employment applications to receiving legal assistance. As a result, anyone who is (1) without access to online communications at home or work and/or (2) not at least literate in technology will be at a serious disadvantage in the 21st century economy. In today's competitive society, the ability to navigate the Internet has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Last year, the ABA developed policy in favor of legislation designed to increase access to technology and technology skills for those in underserved communities. We are cognizant of the fact that there is a gap between those who have access to technology and/or the requisite skills to use such technology effectively and those who do not. The CTC initiative helps address this problem by providing job training, workforce development, increased access to education, and small business development. The CTC initiative was funded at $65 million in FY 2001 and $32.5 million in FY 2002. The program has been successful; but it needs additional funding in order to continue providing access to technology and technology skills for underserved communities. As the world's largest voluntary professional association, with over 400,000 members, the American Bar Association urges you to oppose any elimination in funding for the CTC initiative and award funding in the amount of $65 million. If we can be of further assistance, please contact me or our Legislative Counsel on this issue, Mondi Kumbula-Fraser, at (202) 662-1760. Sincerely, Robert D. Evans Director, Governmental Affairs Office 107th Congress Letters Home

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION Governmental Affairs Office 740 Fifteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 ph: 202-662-1760 fx: 202-662-1762