Signatures Needed for Broadband in Glacier
Here is the format for the letter below and instructions on where to send it:
Dear [insert representative name],
I would like to call your attention to the Washington Rural Broadband Cooperative (WA-RBC) project. This group recently applied for USDA/RUS BIP funding which will not only bring access to high speed internet to the Mt. Baker Foothills, it will bring very high bandwidth broadband service.
This project will enhance the following critical components of my community:
1) Public Safety
The WA-RBC project will interconnect police and fire departments in the Foothills. It will also allow cell phone carriers to finally provide service which enables much quicker response to all types of incidents.
2) Education
Making high speed internet access affordable and available to all the households in the Foothills will help our school district meet upcoming federal mandates to keep schools functioning during a pandemic and increase the availability of enriched curriculum. In addition, the WA-RBC provides tele-learning through the University of Washington and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington as a fundamental and free service to all members of the Cooperative (which we would be). That is in addition to the numerous distance learning opportunities provided by accredited institutions.
3) Tele-Medicine
By interconnecting the Foothills with a very high bandwidth not-for-profit network, doctors from metropolitan hospitals can provide very rapid assessment and guidance to first responders via video conference and tele-presence. This is very important to our community which currently has no physicians at all. Our only medical services at this point are emergency medical/accident responders.
4) Economic Development
The Foothills area has a very high percentage of low income households. With the WA-RBC in place the area would at last be able to develop economically by providing fertile ground for small Internet based businesses, access to adult basic and continuing education opportunities, workforce development, and technology and library resources. With this network in place, there even exists opportunities for larger high tech businesses to locate in the area due to the low real estate cost and very high bandwidth that the WA-RBC will provide.
Please review the WA-RBC project as soon as possible and provide your support in informing the USDA/RUS of the positive impact that this proposal will have on Whatcom County.
Thank you,
Send to/Call the following representatives:
Senator Patty Murray
Phone: 202-224-2621
Email: http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm
Choose Technology/Telecommunications as the topic
Senator Maria Cantwell
Phone: 202-224-3441
Email: http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact
Choose Technology/Telecommunications as the topic
Congressman Rick Larsen
Phone: 202-225-2605
Email: http://www.house.gov/larsen/contact/
Choose Technology/Telecommunications as the topic
