Barbara Mikulski: “I rise to ask the support of my colleagues for my amendment to create 1,000 community tech-based centers around the…”

“I rise to ask the support of my colleagues for my amendment to create 1,000 community tech-based centers around the country. The BEST Act creates a national goal to ensure that every child is computer literate by the 8th grade regardless of race, ethnicity, income, gender, geography, or disability. My amendment will help make this goal a reality. What does this amendment do? My amendment builds on the excellent work of Senator Jeffords, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Gregg. It expands 21st Century Learning Centers by authorizing $100 million to create 1,000 community based technology centers around the country. The Department of Education would provide competitive grants to community based organizations such as a YMCA, the Urban League, or a public library. Up to half the funds for these centers must come from the private sector, so we'll be helping to build public/private partnerships around the country. What does this mean for local communities? It means a safe haven for children where they could learn how to use computers and use them to do homework or surf the web. It means job training for adults who could use the technology centers to sharpen their job skills or write their resumes. Why is this amendment necessary? Because even with dot coms becoming dot bombs, we badly need high tech workers. In fact, we have a skill shortage, not a worker shortage.”