MILLIONS WITHOUT BROADBAND “STIFLE AMERICA’S PROGRESS” SAYS OCA - ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ADVOCATES
“STRONG AND IMMEDIATE ACTION” NEEDED TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS AND CLOSE DIGITAL DIVIDE
11 May 2020
The following statement about Wednesday’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing should be attributed to Rita Pin Ahrens, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates:
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders take great pride in the leadership shown by our communities in building what makes the internet indispensable. This includes many of the smart technologies that solve problems in education, the workplace, and healthcare.
Congress and the Administration must recognize that the rebuilding of the country cannot happen while millions of Americans still remain without access to broadband. In the midst of this pandemic, we see the most vulnerable fall through the cracks; including seniors who cannot get online medical care and students who cannot go online to study. Lack of access stifles America’s progress and it is up to Congress and the Administration to end this problem for good.
OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates urges officials across parties to recognize the need for strong and immediate action to expand access to broadband, especially as the pandemic upends the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. We applaud the efforts of Senator Wicker and Ranking Member Cantwell to ensure that these goals are met even as communities continue to combat the spread of COVID-19.”
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OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit, membership-driven organization based in Washington, D.C. with over 50 chapters and affiliates around the country. Touching hundreds of thousands of AAPIs each year, OCA works with its organizational partners, members, chapters, and supporters to empower the next generation of leaders.
To see the pdf file of this statement, click here.