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 Letters to the 107th Congress September 10, 2002 Dear Representative: We understand that you will be considering Labor-HHS-Education appropriations legislation (H.R. 5320) 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 support either increased funding or at a minimum level funding in the amount of $32.5 million for the CTC program. 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 the requisite skills to use such technology effectively and those who do not. The CTC initiative helps achieve these objectives 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. Thus far, the program has been successful and it will require 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
support increased or level funding for the CTC initiative. 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
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AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION Governmental Affairs Office 740 Fifteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 ph: 202-662-1760 fx: 202-662-1762 |