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Nena Requests FSM Be Declared Eligible For ERATE Program

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): March 8, 1998 - President Jacob Nena, in a February 27^th Communication, requested the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman-Designate William E. Kennard to rule favorably for Pacific schools to participate in the ERATE program.

ERATE is a program for US schools funded by the US Government to gain access to the information highway between schools through the use of computers. The program also provide access to the wealth of information available in the Internet web site to resource-poor remote schools.

Although the FSM is eligible to some federally funded education programs, ERATE program is not among them. And the Pacific Education Regional Laboratory (PERL) that administers federal education programs in the Pacific advised that the FSM can become eligible if the proper US Government official or officials simply make a policy declaration.

President Nena copied the Honorable Daniel Inouye, United States Senator from Hawaii and Mr. Ira Fisherman of FCC.