172 Organizations, Including Several from the Library Community, Call on Congress to Increase Broadband Speeds with Future Proof Fiber

From a Letter to U.S. House and U.S Senate Leadership (via INCOMPAS):

We urge Congress to provide full funding to universally build networks that will deliver capacity that will meet local needs for decades and to ensure rigorous scrutiny of recipients of federal dollars so that the program achieves the legislation’s future-proof goals. It is time to act to end the digital divide forever by passing a national broadband infrastructure program that will deliver universal, affordable, 21st century ready access.

Eighty-five years ago, Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act to connect American homes with electricity. Through decisive government action, universal access to electricity was delivered. That decision changed the lives of Americans by giving them an opportunity to participate in the modern world. It also helped bind America together, bridging a distinct divide that existed in the country. Today, Congress can demonstrate the vision that its predecessors showed decades ago by connecting every American with the 21st Century equivalent of electricity – broadband.

Library Organizations That Signed the Letter Include:

• American Library Association
• Alaska State Library
• Chief Officers of State Library Agencies
• Denver Public Library
• EveryLibrary Institute
• Jeff Davis County Library
• Kansas City Public Library
• San Jose Public Library
• Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition
• Shreve Memorial Library
• Sonoma County Library
• Urban Libraries Council
  

Direct to Full Text Letter
3 pages; PDF.

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