HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

117

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

supporting congressional and state funding for broadband infrastructure.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized $7,200,000,000 in federal stimulus grants to develop access to broadband telecommunication technology across the country; and

 

     WHEREAS, most states are leaving the infrastructure portion of the grant applications to the telecommunication service providers and are instead focusing on building interest in, and the future sustainability of, broadband telecommunication service; and

 

     WHEREAS, in rural areas of the country, many people do not have equal access to broadband and do not know what information and services are available by computer; and

 

     WHEREAS, distance learning technology can aid students in rural areas in advancing their educational needs, including advanced placement classes; and

 

     WHEREAS, broadband can expand telemedicine and remote monitoring networks to allow consumers access to healthcare regardless of location, including rural areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, an adequate broadband infrastructure is needed in providing telemedicine and making electronic health records usable; and

 

     WHEREAS, broadband promotes economic development and enables telecommuting, telemedicine, telepresence, distance learning, and e-commerce; and

 

     WHEREAS, broadband in rural communities enables the development of home businesses; and

 

     WHEREAS, rural communities are negatively impacted by the lack of broadband services that could advance their educational, health, and economic capabilities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature requests and supports congressional and state funding for broadband infrastructure in rural areas; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Mayor and Council Chair of the County of Hawaii, the Mayor and Council Chair of the City and County of Honolulu, the Mayor and Council Chair of the County of Kauai, and the Mayor and Council Chair of the County of Maui.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Broadband Infrastructure