MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Burton, Chaney, Frazier

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) TO RETAIN THE LICENSE OF MISSISSIPPI EDNET INSTITUTE TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi EDNET Institute has worked diligently for the cause of distance learning in the State of Mississippi, providing a valuable resource to the citizens of Mississippi, and is currently threatened with the loss of the very Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses that allow it to operate; its service to the State of Mississippi should be commended and the licenses should be defended against all efforts to remove them from the Mississippi education community; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi EDNET Institute has implemented a public/private partnership to leverage private funds for the public good of all Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi EDNET Institute exists to support the instructional programs of its member agencies and assist state agencies with their missions whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi EDNET Institute provides educational television programming for Mississippi's K-12 and adult education community twenty-four hours each day; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Mississippi EDNET Institute is to promote, encourage and assist all levels of education, research and economic development within the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, we wish to express our support for the mission and goals of the Mississippi EDNET Institute:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to retain the operating license of the Mississippi EDNET Institute due to the service and invaluable resource it provides to the citizens of the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Federal Communications Commission and to the members of Mississippi's Congressional delegation and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.