HR0717 LRB094 15068 RAS 50220 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, On November 16, 2005 and November 17, 2005, the
3 Illinois Community Technology Conference and the Sixth Annual
4 Telecommunications Conference will be convened in Springfield
5 at the University of Illinois at Springfield Public Affairs
6 Center to address rural connectivity and digital literacy
7 issues; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Basic technology skills (digital literacy
9 skills), such as understanding common technology terminology
10 and equipment, understanding how to use productivity software
11 to organize and create information, and understanding how to
12 utilize electronic mail and the Internet, are fundamental in
13 preparing Illinois' citizens to be successful in school and the
14 workforce; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Digital literacy is essential for Illinois'
16 future and requires a consistent, long-term investment from the
17 public, private, and voluntary sectors in order to achieve and
18 sustain a healthy quality of life for individuals, families,
19 and communities; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Community Technology Centers provide computer
21 access and digital literacy training services to individuals,
22 communities, and populations that typically would not
23 otherwise have places to use computer and telecommunications
24 technologies; and
 
25     WHEREAS, Digital literacy matters in the provision of daily
26 Internet access for all Illinoisans and especially for youth,
27 adults, and seniors who benefit from public access to low-cost
28 or no-cost Community Technology Centers in low-income areas
29 throughout Illinois; and
 
30     WHEREAS, Digital literacy and technology access are

 

 

HR0717 - 2 - LRB094 15068 RAS 50220 r

1 essential for the equitable use of government and public
2 services; people in all communities should have the opportunity
3 to be connected to the world and to each other through a
4 variety of technologies and platforms, regardless of location,
5 age, economic standing, or linguistic or physiological
6 constraints; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Digital literacy matters as a way in which
8 individuals, families, and community enterprises "learn"
9 digital literacy skills, including learning-by-doing,
10 learning-by-teaching, learning-by-delivering vital goods and
11 services, both paid and unpaid, and participating in learning
12 communities that strengthen family and social networks, which
13 sustain lives and build supportive community environments; and
 
14     WHEREAS, In times of local safety and health emergencies,
15 such as in hurricane Katrina or tornados in Illinois, digital
16 literacy is a key element in restoring communications and in
17 helping to link persons with families and vital services; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Outreach and public awareness efforts must
19 highlight how digital literacy matters by saving time and money
20 in daily tasks, in learning and communicating, and in
21 connecting with digital government and consumer services;
22 therefore, be it
 
23     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
24 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
25 November 16, 2005 and November 17, 2005 shall be known as
26 Digital Literacy Matters Days in Illinois, a time to applaud
27 the work of Community Technology Centers and highlight the
28 importance of digital literacy skills for all Illinois
29 citizens.