Sen Markey Celebrates 30 Years of E-Rate Program That Keeps Communities Connected

Thirty years ago, when I created the E-Rate program, I believed deeply that access to information and opportunity should never depend on a child’s zip code or family income. E-Rate was built on a simple idea: if we connect every school and every library to the digital world, we can unlock the full potential of every student. For three decades, E-Rate has delivered on that promise, connecting classrooms, libraries, and communities in Massachusetts and across the United States. On this 30^th anniversary, I want to thank the educators, students, schools, libraries, and communities who made E-Rate real. Their work proves that when we invest in universal access, we can ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed. As we celebrate 30 years of E-Rate, we recommit to its future — to protecting and strengthening E-Rate for the next generation.