Please note the following changes or additions to Conference Agenda:
 

VICE PRESIDENT GORE WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 11:00 a.m.
 

Secretary of Commerce William Daley will give opening keynote remarks, Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
 

Panel featuring Members of Congress, Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (See agenda below for names)
 

Press Conference at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, in Rayburn Room of J.W. Marriott,
featuring author Don Tapscott, and representatives from the National Urban League, the Center for Media Education, Communities in Schools, State public service commissioners and others to discuss universal service
 

Press Conference at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, in Rayburn Room of J.W. Marriott, featuring representatives from PULP, WinStar, AT&T Foundation, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, VTEL Corp. and Disney Online to explain new programs to bring telecommunications technologies to underserved areas

WHAT: Connecting All Americans for the 21st Century: Telecommunications Links in Low Income and Rural Communities. This summit, sponsored by the Clinton Administration and PULP will address the immediate opportunities to take full advantage of Telephone Lifeline, improve access to new telecommunications technology for low income and rural communities, and develop strategies to connect and network those communities.
 

The conference will feature live, interactive demonstrations of cutting-edge, online and interactive video community networking projects that operate on an array of advanced telecommunication platforms. A post-conference workshop will discuss how to organize a community network and how to prepare and obtain funding for an advanced technology business plan. ENTIRE CONFERENCE IS OPEN TO THE MEDIA.
 

WHEN: February 25-26, 1998 (Wednesday - Thursday)
 

WHERE: J.W. Marriott Hotel

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC
 

WHO WILL ATTEND: The conference sold out through its pre-registration process. The 500
attendees will include telecommunications policy decision makers and advisors; individuals responsible for developing telecommunications solutions; distance learning, telemedicine and rural health specialists; library service providers; and advocates for rural and low income communities and consumers from across the nation. A complete list of all attendees with phone numbers is available in conference press packet.
 

AGENDA: Over 30 leaders in telecommunications will participate in series of panels and workshops. Featured speakers include:

Wed. 9:00 a.m. Secretary William Daley
Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary of Commerce

9:30 a.m. The Honorable Gloria Tristani, FCC Commissioner

12:30 p.m. Don Tapscott, Author, Growing up Digital: The Net Generation and the Digital Divide (lunch keynote speaker)

7:30 p.m. John P. Morgridge, Chairman, Cisco Systems (dinner keynote speaker)

Thur. 8:30 a.m. Bob Piller, Executive Director, PULP

9:00 a.m. Congressional Panel -- Senator J. Robert Kerry, Senator Conrad Burns, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative Robert Menendez, and Representative Major Owens

11:00 a.m. Vice President Al Gore

12:30 p.m. The Honorable Julia Johnson, Chair, Florida Public Service Commission

The Honorable William E. Kennard, Chair, FCC (lunch keynote speaker)

(For a complete agenda, please call Paige Darden, 202-482-7002 or refer to Internet at http://www.pulpny.org/CAM)
 

BACKGROUND: The Conference is co-sponsored by the Department of Commerce's National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Public Utility Law Project (PULP). NTIA serves as the principal advisor to the Executive Branch on domestic and international telecommunications and information issues, and administers a grant program to extend the reach of advanced telecommunications technologies to underserved areas. PULP, a New York-based national organization, is dedicated to ensuring that low-income persons have access to our nation's telecommunications infrastructure. More information available on Internet at http://www.pulpny.org/CAM

ADDITIONAL NOTES TO EDITORS: Print, electronic, and photo press will be accommodated at the press conferences and throughout the conference. Many of the conference participants and panelists will be available for one-on-one interviews. To make arrangements, call Paige Darden, 202-482-7002 or Stephen Oakes, 202-667-0901.

###