|
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
100 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0100
RE: Public Hearing on MTLI
Testimony of W. Godfrey Wood, CEO
Portland Regional Chamber April 2, 2004
Dear Senator Douglas, Representative Cummings, and Committee Members:
I am writing to convey the strong support of the Portland Regional
Chamber to the Maine Technology Learning Initiative to deploy laptop
computers throughout Maine's High Schools.
At a time when our state's financial resources are challenged,
it is more important than ever that we continue to make high yield
investments in our children, and our common futures as Mainers.
The laptop initiative is vital to health of our state's economy,
and as well to the quality and competitiveness of our educational
system. All signs indicate that the explosive growth in our nation's
technological advancements is just the beginning of a vast new economy.
Maine students must be offered every opportunity to stay competitive,
and to participate in the global market, whether they start their
own businesses or work with other employers.
This Chamber represents more that 1300 employers, throughout the
state of Maine, and roughly 62,000 employees, including thousands
of families with children. It is without doubt in the best interests
of these employers and families, and the future of our children,
that Maine continues to invest in this technology initiative. We
are aware of many competing needs for scarce resources at this time,
however, we believe a key to solving our state's fiscal problems
in the long-term is to ensure that are children are able to compete.
Your affirmative vote to deploy this technology in Maine High Schools
is an important commitment to, and sound investment in, our future.
Respectfully
W. Godfrey Wood, CEO
<
Back to Legislative Alerts
|
