PROMOTING EXPANSION METHODS OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) believes our nation’s leadership depends upon our full development and integration of broadband Internet and related digital technologies into our economy, our communities and our lives; and

WHEREAS, NBCSL recognizes advanced communication services and information technology can help encourage economic empowerment in African American communities; and

WHEREAS, NBCSL seeks to ensure that every segment of our economy is prepared to meet the technological challenges, regardless of geography, socio-economic status, and physical or mental ability; and

WHEREAS, NBCSL believes no segment of our society should suffer a disparate impact from lack of access to, or productive use of, technological innovation; and

WHEREAS, NBCSL supports local, State, and Federal Government developing and implementing public–private broadband deployment partnerships which ensure urban and rural consumers have access to affordable broadband technologies, this includes the developing and deploying of broadband networks by local and State governments themselves; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NBCSL applauds and supports the efforts of its peer stakeholder organizations for their efforts to recognize the importance of ensuring adoption and usage of broadband Internet and information technology products and services, particularly by African Americans and the economically disadvantaged; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL fully supports government policies and regulations that protect the public interest in the deployment of communication technology by insuring 1) the public right-of-way remain a taxable interest so its infrastructure may remain whole; 2) an end to the practice of “economic red-lining;” 3) the integrity of the Universal Service Fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL educate its members and avail themselves of opportunities to educate others on the importance of adoption and usage of broadband technologies in African American communities as well as the economically disadvantaged; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports government-aided economic development in underserved communities coupled with public private partnerships to encourage usage of culturally relevant content as well as ensure that training and service delivery be provided in a manner that empowers African American communities in the digital economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports efforts on behalf of government, business and the nonprofit sector to expand technology adoption and education through the development of meaningful and accessible content and content delivery to African Americans; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, members of Congress, members of the Federal Communications Commission, and State Legislatures and Regulatory Agencies.

Sponsor: Representative Joseph Gibbons (FL)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Committee on Telecommunications, Sciences and Technology
Certified by Committee Chair: Senator Arthenia Joyner (FL)
Ratified in Plenary Session; Ratification Date: December 12, 2008
Ratification Certified by: Representative Calvin Smyre (GA), President