July 15, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5583 used for eligible costs. If there is not enough HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, cess technology. Thank you in advance for money in the fund to finance all the applica- Washington, DC, June 9, 1998. your time and attention to this matter. We tions, FCC Chairman William Kennard says Hon. WILLIAM E. KENNARD, look forward to hearing from you in the very schools in poor and rural communities will Chairman, Federal Communications Commis- near future and to working with you to pro- get first priority. sion, Washington, DC mote the E-Rate program and the goals that Local school boards’ overwhelming support DEAR CHAIRMAN KENNARD: We are writing it aims to achieve. for the discounts underscores how crucial to you today to express our utmost concern Very truly yours, the e-rate is to ensure that our students can and support for the education rate (E-rate) RICHARD E. NEAL. be full participants in the Information Age. created by the Telecommunications Act of JOHN W. OLVER. Without the e-rate, the gap between the 1996. It is absolutely imperative that you, as JOE P. KENNEDY, II. Chairman of the F.C.C., work with your fel- technology haves and have nots will con- WILLIAM DELAHUNT. low Commissioners to implement the inten- tinue to grow. JIM P. MCGOVERN. tions of Congress regarding this initiative MARTY MEEHAN. The SLC received more than 30,000 applica- and ensure that the E-rate receives the com- JOE MOAKLEY. tions for the e-rate before the April 20 dead- prehensive funding that it has been prom- f line. These applicants have developed exten- ised. It is vital that you hear of the positive sive technology plans and have lined up local support that the E-Rate program has in Con- E-RATE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOPE funding sources to support their part of the gress, as well as the valuable and practical AND PROMISE TO STUDENTS bargain. They are counting on these dis- impact that the program will directly have AROUND THE COUNTRY counts to start July 1 so they can begin pro- in all of our communities. We urge you and viding services to the students they serve. the Commission to ensure that funds allo- (Mrs. CAPPS kasked and was given Just as this important program is getting cated to the E-rate meet the demand that permission to address the House for 1 off the ground, the telecommunications in- has already been demonstrated by schools minute and to revise and extend her re- dustry is backing off from its commitment and libraries in the 30,000 applications sub- marks and include extraneous mate- to contribute enough to the FCC’s Universal mitted thus far. rial.) Service Fund to pay for the discounts. Despite the adverse message that has been Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise relayed by a small number of Members of Certain long-distance telephone compa- today in support of the E-rate program, Congress, the E-rate has overwhelming en- nies—AT&T, MCI, and Sprint—are undermin- dorsement in the House, Senate, and in com- which provides hope and promise to ing the program by charging their customers munities nationwide. By creating the E- students, parents, and schools all over higher rates and blaming the increases on Rate, Congress clearly enumerated its com- this country. the e-rate. Other companies—SBC, mitment to guarantee that each child and I have here letters in support of the BellSouth, and GTE—have filed a lawsuit community have the tools necessary to be- School and Libraries Telecommuni- that, if successful, could destroy the e-rate come technologically capable of participat- cations Discount, and they are from program. ing in the global marketplace. The influx of school districts across the 22nd Con- The fact is, the Telecommunications Act of advanced technology in our society makes it gressional District of California. These 1996 cut the access fees the long distance car- imperative for our schools and libraries to letters clearly state the deep need that riers are charged to connect with local tele- have adequate technology with which to phone systems. These fees will be cut even teach the youth of our future. The E-Rate exists for these discounts and the further in July. program provides discounts to schools and li- losses which will be incurred if the pro- The savings from these fee reductions braries for a limited number of services. In- gram is repealed. would offset the long distance companies’ ternal wiring, one of the most integral en- Dr. Gale Tissier, the Santa Maria contributions to the Universal Service Fund deavors eligible for E-Rate discounts, would Bonita School District superintendent to finance the e-rate and also allow the com- enable countless local schools and libraries writes, ‘‘Without the E-rate, our com- panies to pass along the savings to cus- access to the information superhighway. munity will not be able to provide tomers. In addition, these companies, have The E-rate, financed through reductions in technology and Internet access for our the regulatory fees assessed to telephone the opportunity to make a profit by winning students and families.’’ contracts to serve schools and libraries. companies, is a positive and beneficial pro- gram which encourages the economic devel- In the small district of Shandon, Su- Despite earlier agreements, however, opment of infrastructure for both schools perintendent Summers states, ‘‘With- AT&T has raised its long distance rates, and and libraries. However, the uncertainty of out this program we will continue to now claims it won’t be able to contribute to such funding now becoming a reality greatly struggle with what little obsolete fa- the Universal Service Fund unless it adds a concerns us—the overall impact on Massa- surcharge to customers’ phone bills. cilities and equipment we currently chusetts would be devastating if E-Rate dis- have.’’ This ploy has gotten the attention of con- counts were not provided for the projects Funding of the E-rate was part of a sumer groups, who now have asked the FCC proposed statewide. The Massachusetts De- and Congress to delay implementation of the deal reached by Congress, the tele- partment of Education has begun the initial phone companies, schools and libraries e-rate until the issue of access charge reduc- implementation of a statewide dial-up Inter- tions is resolved. net access network for all Massachusetts as part of the Telecommunications Act A coalition that includes the Consumer educators. Though there are already over of 1996. I call on the phone companies Federation of America, Consumers Union, 20,000 educators who have registered for this to live up to this agreement and fund and groups representing business telephone service, without financial assistance through the program without burdening their users wrote to the FCC May 21 requesting an- the E-Rate program, thousands more will be customers. I call on Congress to sup- other $1 billion be cut annually from the ac- denied of a tremendous opportunity to access port the E-rate and prepare today’s cess charges. They claim that is the amount the Internet and ensure that they will be students for the challenges and the op- consumers are being asked to pay in unre- able to transfer information and techno- portunities of tomorrow. lated new line-item charges that began show- logical skills to their classrooms. Mr. Speaker, I include for the ing up on long-distance bills earlier this The negative publicity that has surrounded year. The groups want the e-rate to be halted the implementation of this program is dis- RECORD letters that I referred to in my until new fees are imposed to pay for it. tressing, and despite some naysayers, the remarks. That would be a grave mistake. The e-rate program has attained solid support from SANTA MARIA-BONITA SCHOOL DISTRICT, must not be delayed or reduced. The FCC and local communities, educators, students, and Santa Maria, CA, June 17, 1998. Congress should not break their promise at many businesses. This effort must not be Hon. LOIS CAPPS, the eleventh hour. compromised nor delayed by the potential House of Representatives, Longworth House Of- ongoing debates and criticisms that are fice Building, Washington, DC. We must not let the nation’s schools be fueled and based on misinformation. The DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN CAPPS: I am writing held hostage to policy disputes among var- message from local communities has been re- to ask your support for full funding of the ious sectors of the industry, government pol- soundingly clear—our students need to be ex- Schools and Libraries Discount Program icymakers and regulators, unrelated busi- posed to technology and have access to as that has been put in place as a result of the nesses, and consumer groups. Schools and li- much information as possible in order to be passage of the Telecommunications Act of braries—and the thousands of students, successful and to function in modern society. 1996. That program has come under attack in teachers, parents, and community members The E-Rate is a prime means by which the recent weeks. I am concerned that the tre- they serve—are consumers, too. federal government can offset, and often mendous opportunity it provides to help all There is a huge demand for the e-rate. Our times initiate, the inception of high tech in- students in America gain equal access to the children’s—and our nation’s—future requires frastructure in our schools and libraries. benefits of modern technology and the Inter- that our schools have access to the tele- We urge you to not impede or delay deci- net might be lost in the debate. communications services they will need to sions to grant many Massachusetts schools While the FCC has ordered funds for the succeed in the 21st century. and libraries with the funding needed to ac- support of this program to be collected, the H5584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 15, 1998 amount to be collected is less than the uary 7, 1997, and under a previous order Mr. Speaker, the recent violence by amount that the program originally set as of the House, the following Members the Indonesian government against the being needed. It will also not cover all of the will be recognized for 5 minutes each. people of West Papua, New Guinea, is requests for the current funding cycle. This means that many projects will not be funded. f nothing new. It is part and parcel of The FCC has acted courageously in setting The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the long history of Indonesia’s oppres- even this funding amount in light of the ex- previous order of the House, the gentle- sion of the native Melanesian people of treme pressure exerted on it from the large woman from Kentucky (Mrs. NORTHUP) West Papua, New Guinea. TELCOs and other detractors of the pro- is recognized for 5 minutes. In 1961, the people of West Papua, gram. The TELCOs claimed need to add 5% (Mrs. NORTHUP addressed the New Guinea, with the assistance of to long distance rates to cover the costs of Holland and Australia, prepared to de- Universal Service has been blamed on the House. Her remarks will appear here- Schools and Libraries Discount program. In after in the Extensions of Remarks.) clare independence from its Dutch co- fact, only a little over one third of that f lonial master. This enraged Indonesia, which invaded West Papua, New Guin- amount (1.5%) would raise more than enough The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a to fully fund the program. With the elimi- ea, and threatened war with Holland. previous order of the House, the gen- nation of local access charges starting in As a Cold War maneuver to counter So- tleman from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) is July, the TELCOs will save much more than viet overtures for Indonesia to become that amount. recognized for 5 minutes. This is a landmark program that will help (Mr. CONYERS addressed the House. a member of the Communist block, the assure a brighter future for many students His remarks will appear hereafter in United States intervened in the West who otherwise will not be able to benefit the Extensions of Remarks.) Papua, New Guinea, issue. After the from the rich technology that can transform Dutch were advised that they could not f education in our country. Our community count on the support of the allies in a will not be able to provide technology and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a conflict with Indonesia, Holland seized Internet access for our students and families, previous order of the House, the gen- involvement with West Papua, New of which less than 20% now have access to tleman from Florida (Mr. MILLER) is computers and the Internet at home, with- Guinea’s, independence. Indonesia thus recognized for 5 minutes. took West Papua, New Guinea, in 1963, out this program. The school may be the (Mr. MILLER of Florida addressed only place that the next generation of work- suppressing the West Papua, New Guin- the House. His remarks will appear ers and consumers can get the training and ea, people’s dreams of freedom and self- hereafter in the Extensions of Re- experience they need to compete in the 21st determination. century job market. marks.) In 1969, a referendum called the ‘‘Act We ask for your support for the future of f our children and the full funding of the of Free Choice’’ was held to approve Schools and Libraries Discount Program. We The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the continued occupation by force of need a strong voice in this debate in favor of previous order of the House, the gen- West Papua, New Guinea, by Indonesia. the program. tleman from California (Mr. FILNER) is West Papuans called it the ‘‘Act of No Sincerely, recognized for 5 minutes. Choice’’. Listen to this, Mr. Speaker. GAIL M. TISSIER, (Mr. FILNER addressed the House. Only 1,025 delegates, hand picked by Superintendent. His remarks will appear hereafter in the Indonesian government, were al- the Extensions of Remarks.) lowed to vote, and bribery and threats SHADON UNIFIED SCHOOLS, f Shandon, CA, June 18, 1998. were used to influence them. The rest Hon. LOIS CAPPS, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a of the 800,000 citizens, the local, or the U.S. Congress, previous order of the House, the gen- indigenous Melanesians, the 800,000 San Luis Obispo, CA. tleman from Florida (Mr. DIAZ- West Papua, New Guineans, had no say DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN CAPPS: I want to ex- BALART) is recognized for 5 minutes. in the undemocratic process. Despite press my thanks to you for your fine work on (Mr. DIAZ-BALART addressed the calling for a one-person, one-vote ref- behalf of the schools and school children of San Luis Obispo County. We in Shandon House. His remarks will appear here- erendum, the United Nations recog- have been encouraged by the time you have after in the Extensions of Remarks.) nized the so-called vote. taken to listen our requests for relief from f Mr. Speaker, since Indonesia took some of the special problems of the smaller over West Papua, New Guinea, the na- districts in low income areas. INDONESIA’S HUMAN RIGHTS VIO- tive Melanesian people have suffered I am alarmed, though, after the wonderful LATIONS IN IRIAN JAYA/WEST under one of the most repressive and promise offered by the FCC ‘‘e-rate’’ process, PAPUA unjust systems of colonial occupation that there are those in the Congress that are working to dilute its value to us or to elimi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ever known in the 20th Century. The nate the program entirely. If there are those previous order of the House, the gen- Indonesian military has waged an on- who harbor doubts about the worth of this tleman from American Samoa (Mr. going war against the free Papuan program, I would love to have them visit my FALEOMAVAEGA) is recognized for 5 movement and their supporters since schools. minutes. the 1960s, and against the civilian pop- For Shandon children, this program will Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, ulace that has objected to Indonesia’s absolutely offer a chance for technological my remarks, in sharing these thoughts literacy on a par with school children in the plan for development in West Papua. most advantaged schools. Large numbers of with my colleagues, I have entitled In- An example of the latter are the thou- our families are at or near the poverty level, donesia’s Human Rights Violations to sands of killings associated with the and our district has no economies of scale. the People of the West Papua, New expansion of the Freeport copper and This program will allow us to acquire nearly Guinea. gold mines in West Papua, New Guinea. $200,000 worth of services, wiring, and equip- Mr. Speaker, many of our colleagues Incredible as it may seem, Mr. ment at less than one-fourth the cost. With- are familiar with Indonesia’s dismal Speaker, estimates are that between out this program, we will continue to strug- record of human rights violations in 100,000 to 300,000 indigenous West gle with what little obsolete facilities and East Timor. The abuses have been well equipment we currently have. Papua, New Guineans, have been killed Every one of my employees works very publicized and documented, especially or have simply vanished or disappeared hard to get the most out of what we have. the Dili massacre of 1991, where hun- from the face of the earth during Indo- Our students are motivated and eager to dreds of innocent Timorese were killed nesian colonization. Mr. Speaker, the learn. by government security forces. What depth and intensity of this conflict, Please, carry this message to your col- has not received much attention, Mr. spanning three decades, underscores leagues: Help me to help these people! Speaker, is the tragic story of the peo- Sincerely, the fact that the people of West Papua, ple of West Papua, New Guinea, or RICHARD L. SUMMERS, New Guinea, do not have common Superintendent. Irian Jaya, as the people of New Guin- bonds with nor accept being part of In- f ea have renamed that province. West donesia. Papua, New Guinea, borders the inde- The indigenous people of West Papua, SPECIAL ORDERS pendent nation of Papua, New Guinea, New Guinea, are racially, culturally The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under and forms the western half of the and ethnically different from the ma- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- world’s second largest island. jority of Indonesians. West Papuans