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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 19
BY SENATOR CROWE
STUDENTS. Memorializes Congress to utilize the power of technology to boost American
productivilty and performance by consulting with state legislatures, education and computer
organizations to ensure that every student has access to a low-cost laptop.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To memorialize the Congress of the United States to utilize the power of technology to boost2
American productivity and performance by consulting with state legislatures,3
education, and computer organizations to ensure that every student has access to a4
low-cost laptop.5
WHEREAS, the personal computer is an indispensable twenty-first century learning6
tool; and7
WHEREAS, the decreasing cost of technology makes it possible to equip every8
student with a portable, personal computer; and9
WHEREAS, low-cost laptops are "twenty-first century textbooks" due to their10
capacity to store thousands of books and research materials; and11
WHEREAS, computer technology has been shown to improve academic12
performance, attendance, and enthusiasm in classrooms; and13
WHEREAS, according to a survey by the November 2007 Pew Internet & American14
Life Project, one-fourth of Americans do not have computers at home; and15
WHEREAS, the "digital divide" most sharply impacts the poor, racial and ethnic16
minorities, people with disabilities, and residents of rural areas; and17
WHEREAS, attaining universal access to communication technology is a goal18 SCR NO. 19
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spelled out in the 1996 Telecommunications Act; and1
WHEREAS, a nationwide push among state leaders to equip students with laptops2
promises to fuel a new generation of math, science, and technology innovators; and3
WHEREAS, computer proficiency is increasingly required by employers and4
institutions of higher learning; and5
WHEREAS, previous technology-focused efforts, such as the Technology6
Opportunities Program and E-Rate, resulted in newfound information and communication7
access for millions of students and thousands of schools; and8
WHEREAS, the provision of low-cost laptops for all students would increase9
learning in core subjects, improve literacy in technology essential for twenty-first century10
skills, and stimulate creativity, all necessary in reaching the goal of academic excellence in11
schools as well as developing a technical proficiency at an early age.12
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes13
the Congress of the United States to utilize the power of technology to boost American14
productivity and performance by consulting with state legislatures, education, and computer15
organizations to ensure that every student has access to a low-cost laptop.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted17
to the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of the United States House of18
Representatives and to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States19
Congress.20
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
Crowe SCR No.
Memorializes Congress to utilize the power of technology to boost American productivity
and performance by consulting with state legislatures, education, and computer organizations
to ensure that every student has access to a low-cost laptop.