An open letter from the Congressional Internet Caucus to the Internet Community
From the Congressional Internet Caucus to the Internet Community ( http://www.house.gov/white/internet_caucus/letter.html)
On March 28, 1996, the founding members of the Congressional Internet Caucus posted this letter to the following newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk, comp.org.cpsr.talk, alt.politics.datahighway, alt.censorship, alt.privacy, talk.politics.crypto, and misc.news.internet.announce.
To the Internet Community at-large,
Finally, there is something that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on -- it is time to get Congress on-line for the 21st Century.
Over the past few years, the Internet has changed the way we communicate, do business and educate our children. Millions of people log-on to the Internet each day to send and receive information. And this new medium has created thousands of new jobs in our nation's economy.
As more and more people go on-line and as the Internet becomes a greater part of our daily lives, new questions arise about how to deal with this new medium. Members of Congress are having to make policy decisions on Internet issues that will impact o ur future.
What role, if any, will the federal government have in developing the Internet? How will Congress respond to Internet-related issues? From encryption to indecency, copyright protection to universal service, Congress will need to make prudent publi c policy decisions about a medium that presents such enormous opportunities for all Americans.
Congress must not make these decisions without the full understanding of and familiarity with the Internet.
The Internet will also transform Congress and the government. From communicating with constituents to making government documents available on-line, we need to move into the Information Age NOW.
Members of Congress need to use the Internet.
To solve some of these problems, we are forming the Internet Caucus: a bipartisan, bicameral group of members with diverse viewpoints. What we share is a mutual concern for promoting the Internet. We will not just talk the talk. Caucus members will walk the walk into cyberspace by signing a pledge to 1) educate themselves about the Internet, 2) get on-line, 3) and educate other members about the Internet.
The caucus will also serve as a clearinghouse of information for the public and other offices about Internet related issues. With the assistance of an advisory committee comprised of public interest groups, industry, and respected experts on the Inte rnet, members will discuss and debate policy options.
We look forward to getting your input on the many issues before Congress. See you on-line!
Sincerely,
Congressman Rick White, Senator Patrick Leahy, Congressman Rick Boucher,
Senator Larry Pressler, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congressman Jack Fields,
Congressman Edward Markey, Congressman Mike Oxley, Congressman Christopher Cox,
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Robert Goodlatte, Congressman Thomas
Campbell, Congressman Robert Walker, Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn,
Congressman Vern Ehlers, Senator Slade Gorton, Senator Conrad Burns,
Senator Ron Wyden, Congressman Sam Farr, Congressman Bill Luther
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