Advisory Commitee Supports New Internet Caucus Task Force on Wireless Issues
Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee to Work With New Internet Caucus Wireless Task Force to Educate Congress
Washington, D.C. February 13, 2002 - The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC) today vowed to work closely with the co-chairs of the new Wireless Task Force of the Congressional Internet Caucus - Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA). "We're pleased the Chairs of the Internet Caucus have asked Senator Ensign and Rep. Honda to lead the Internet Caucus dialog on this issue," said ICAC chair Jerry Berman. "It's a recognition of the very important role of wireless technologies to the Internet's evolution," he said.
The ICAC will work in conjunction with the Wireless Task Force to educate Members and staff about possible factors encouraging or inhibiting the growth of wireless Internet services. Toward that goal the ICAC will feature a wide range of cutting edge wireless Internet technology demonstrations at its kickoff "Reception and Tech Fair" on February 13 in the Hart Senate Office Building. In 2002 the ICAC work to educate Members and staff about possible factors limiting the growth of wireless Internet services and highlight innovative new applications both in the U.S. and abroad.
"The next phase of the Internet may very well be a wireless one," noted Senator John Ensign, Wireless Task Force co-chair, "and we must ensure that those technologies can scale to the explosive growth of the Internet." Senator Ensign's co-chair, Congressman Mike Honda said, "A fully functional 3G Wireless marketplace represents an important next step in the evolution of the Information Economy and is a vital part of our future economic growth. The Wireless Task Force will play an important role in bringing leaders from both Houses of Congress and both political parties together to better understand the many complex challenges and opportunities confronting the growth of these exciting new applications and services."
Senator Conrad Burns pointed out that "Senator Ensign and Congressman Honda have shown leadership on these issues and I - as well as my fellow co-chairs - are delighted they will help the Internet Caucus probe these critical issues." Congressman Boucher added, "The success of the Internet and the Internet Caucus commands a more in-depth examination of crucial issues such as the proliferation of wireless Internet technologies and services. I am hopeful that the Wireless Task Force will lead to the creation of additional task forces to examine specific areas of the Internet's ongoing development." Senator Burns and Congressman Boucher co-chair the bi-partisan Internet Caucus with Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressmen Bob Goodlatte.
The ICAC will preview its 2002 wireless initiatives and other Internet technologies and services at the kick off "Reception and Technology Fair" on February 13.
About the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee
www.netcaucus.org
The Advisory Committee to the Internet Caucus is a diverse group of public interest, non-profit and industry groups working to educate the Congress and the public about important Internet-related policy issues. With participation from Members of the Caucus and logistical support from the Internet Education Foundation, the Advisory Committee hosts regular forums to discuss important Internet-related policy issues. Since its founding, the Advisory Committee has built a membership of over 190 organizations from a broad cross-section of the public interest community and the Internet industry. Additional information, including an updated membership list, is available at http://www.netcaucus.org.
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