| 45 | | - | WHEREAS, broadband services are essential infrastructure for the twenty-first century and play an important role in providing access to knowledge and opportunities from around the world; and WHEREAS, digital equity ensures that all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy and is necessary for civic and cultural participation, lifelong learning, and access to essential services, such as telemedicine, distance learning, and the workplace; and WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic heightened the demand for reliable, affordable internet connectivity as work, education, and access to essential services have shifted online; and WHEREAS, broadband access, where available, has helped to deliver public health information to vulnerable Hawaii residents who experience socioeconomic disparities and those who live in underserved and unserved communities; and WHEREAS, many rural, agricultural, and lower-income communities throughout the State lack access to reliable and affordable broadband due to the lack of infrastructure; discrimination in investment in delivering technology and technology-related services to specific areas or populations; or barriers derived from socioeconomic status, education, literacy, language, or disabilities; and WHEREAS, the State is committed to promoting digital inclusion to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most remote and disadvantaged, have access to information and communication technologies, including affordable, robust broadband internet service; internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; access to digital literacy training; quality technical support; and applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and WHEREAS, to raise awareness of the need for digital equity and to promote digital inclusion, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25, S.D. 1, Regular Session of 2022, recognized October 3 through October 7, 2022, as Digital Inclusion Week in the State; and WHEREAS, Digital Inclusion Week is spearheaded by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which represents affiliated organizations working toward digital equity by crafting, identifying, and disseminating financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that October 2 through October 6, 2023, is recognized as Digital Inclusion Week in the State to raise awareness of the need for digital equity and to promote digital inclusion; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Strategic Broadband Coordinator of the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayor of the County of Maui; Mayor of the County of Kauai; and Mayor of the County of Hawaii. Report Title: Digital Inclusion Week; Broadband; Digital Equity; Rural, Agricultural, and Lower-Income Communities |
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| 43 | + | WHEREAS, broadband services are essential infrastructure for the twenty-first century and play an important role in providing access to knowledge and opportunities from around the world; and WHEREAS, digital equity ensures that all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy and is necessary for civic and cultural participation, lifelong learning, and access to essential services, such as telemedicine, distance learning, and the workplace; and WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic heightened the demand for reliable, affordable internet connectivity as work, education, and access to essential services have shifted toward being provided online; and WHEREAS, broadband access, where available, has helped to deliver public health information to vulnerable Hawaii residents who experience socioeconomic disparities and those who live in underserved and unserved communities; and WHEREAS, many rural, agricultural, and lower-income communities throughout the State lack access to reliable and affordable broadband due to the lack of infrastructure; discrimination in investment in delivering technology and technology-related services to specific areas or populations; or barriers derived from socioeconomic status, education, literacy, language, or disabilities; and WHEREAS, the State is committed to promoting digital inclusion to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most remote and disadvantaged, have access to information and communication technologies, including affordable, robust broadband internet service; internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; access to digital literacy training; quality technical support; and applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and WHEREAS, to raise awareness of the need for digital equity and to promote digital inclusion, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25, S.D. 1, Regular Session of 2022, further recognized October 3 through October 7, 2022, as Digital Inclusion Week in the State; and WHEREAS, Digital Inclusion Week is spearheaded by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which represents affiliated organizations working toward digital equity by crafting, identifying, and disseminating financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that October 2 through October 6, 2023, and October 7 through October 11, 2024, are recognized as Digital Inclusion Week in the State to raise awareness of the need for digital equity and to promote digital inclusion; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Strategic Broadband Coordinator of the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayor of the County of Maui; Mayor of the County of Kauai; and Mayor of the County of Hawaii. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: Digital Inclusion Week; Broadband; Digital Equity; Rural, Agricultural, and Lower-Income Communities |
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