NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	June 12, 1998
	STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN WILLIAM KENNARD ON FCC ADOPTION OF PLAN TO REFORM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES DISCOUNT PROCEDURES
	Today the Commission took a number of actions to put the e-rate initiative on solid footing before a single dime is spent. We've made sure the neediest kids get Internet access, we've reorganized the administrative structure by combining two corporations into one, we've reduced overhead by lowering CEO salaries. I'm also proposing "truth-in-billing" to require carriers to tell consumers the whole truth about their phone bill. The truth is, long-distance rates have never been lower and the e-rate will not cause any consumer's rates to increase. Today's actions respond as fully as possible to the concerns voiced by Congress, yet reflect my unshakable commitment to implementing the Telecommunications Act's directive that schools, libraries, and rural health centers are afforded access to communications. My grandfather made sure my father received an education, and that resulted in education and opportunities for me. The e-rate is about providing our children an education that will unlock opportunities in the future. This Nation has an obligation to make sure our neediest kids have an on-ramp to the network that leads to tomorrow's opportunities. I hope our actions will allow us to get past the controversies, distractions, and false choices, and focus on the promise that communications holds for education, for communities, and for rural health care. - FCC -