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Commencement 6/5/98 - Kalil Memos (NEC and DPC)
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Commencement 6/5/98 - Kalil Memos (NEC and DPC)
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Commencement 6/5/98 - Kalil Memos (NEC & DPC)
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1
Thomas A. Kalil
05/20/98 10:44:14 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Melissa G. Green/OPD/EOP
CC:
Sally Katzen/OPD/EOP, Jonathan A. Kaplan/OPD/EOP
Subject: MIT Commencement -- Important!
MIT-TT.M2 MIT-R&D.M
There are 3 major policy ideas under consideration
for the MIT Commencement address:
1. Technology Training for Teachers
2. Information & Communications R&D
3. Universal IT literacy
Attached are memos for 1 & 2.
Question:
*
Does Gene want to edit these before I start circulating them? [l am
going to ship them to Speech-writing to make sure these ideas
aren't wildly off-base from a message perspective.]
*
Does he want to talk to Jack before I show them to OMB?
*
To Riley before I show it to Education?
MIT A29
Page 1
Draft April 29, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR GENE SPERLING, MICHAEL WALDMAN, JOHN PODESTA,
JEFF SMITH, BRUCE REED, JIM KOHLENBERGER
FROM:
TOM KALIL
RE:
MIT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Summary: In our first meeting on the MIT speech, we decided to identify policy
initiatives in three areas:
(1)
Sustaining the Information Revolution by investing in R&D;
(2)
Maximizing the benefits of the Information Revolution for all Americans;
(3)
Dealing with some of the potential challenges of the Information Revolution
(e.g. erosion of privacy, concentration)
This memo describes policy initiatives that the President could announce as
part of the MIT Commencement address as part of the second "basket" -- namely,
maximizing the benefits in areas such as:
1.
Governance in the Information Age;
2.
K-12 education;
3.
Life-long learning;
4.
Health care;
5.
Improving the quality of life for people with disabilities;
6.
Crisis management
These are just preliminary proposals to get people's reactions. Obviously, we
would have to have an inter-agency process before moving forward with them --
particularly on anything that would cost money.
I am also seeing if there is something we can pull together for a "Universal
Digital Library" initiative.
MIT.A29
Page 2
Overall themes
We need to recognize that Information Technology is having a pervasive
impact on our economy and our society, and that IT can be a powerful new
tool for helping us meet many of our most important national goals (K-12
education; life-long learning; more efficient and responsive government;
better, more affordable health care, etc.)
But -- we should reject "technological determinism" -- summed up by the
motto of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair -- "Science Finds, Industry Applies,
Man Conforms" -- or the more recent assertion "Whatever can happen, will
happen." Instead, our use of technology should be shaped by our values and
aspirations -- "The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
Although the private sector will lead in the development and diffusion of the
information technology -- particularly the development of electronic
commerce -- government can play an important role in promoting the broader
social benefits of information technology, by:
-
Setting important goals that the country can rally behind (all
classrooms connected to the Internet by the year 2000).
-
Funding research and development.
-
Eliminating out-dated laws and regulations that prevent IT from being
fully utilized.
-
Making the government a better user of IT.
-
Supporting pilot projects to encourage experimentation. [Uses of new
technology are not always predictable. Western Union stated that
"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously
considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of
no value to us." Ken Olson, the founder of the Digital Equipment
Corporation, concluded in 1977, "There is no reason anyone would
want a computer in their home."]
MIT A29
Page 3
1. Governance in the Information Age
A.
Themes
Potential benefits of information technology
Efficiency (more with less - reinventing government)
Transparency/Openness (everyone - not just Washington insiders have
information on legislation, proposals)
Disclosure as a tool for public and private accountability (corporations reduce
emissions when Toxic Release Inventory is publicly available)
More rapid dissemination of innovation (President Clinton has said that every
problem associated with education has been solved by somebody,
somewhere - new tools make it possible for us to learn from each other)
More opportunities for participation and interaction (e.g. commenting on
government proposals)
B.
Administration Record/Agenda
Vice President's National Performance Review
C.
Possible New Proposals
Establish a date certain for requiring that all new federal government
information be on-line
Develop "digital laboratories of democracy" for sharing best ideas on policies
such as community policing, welfare-to-work, quality child care.
Fund "smart community" pilots. How can information technology enable
better decision-making at local level -- e.g crime-mapping allows better
targeting of police to high-crime neighborhoods.
Establish a mechanism for people to comment on the issues raised by the
President's speech.
MIT.A29
Page 4
2. K-12 education
A.
Themes
Technology, used creatively, can make a big difference in the way teachers
teach and students learn. For example, in some classrooms in America --
teachers are using the Internet to communicate more frequently with parents
(expanding parental involvement) and exchange lesson plans with each other.
Students are able to take "virtual field trips," tap in to the Library of
Congress to research a history paper, develop multimedia portfolios that they
take with them from grade to grade, and learn about subjects in a more
exciting, hands-on way (e.g. using remote telescope for astronomy, learning
about the environment by collecting and sharing environmental data with
students and scientists all over the world).
To make the promise of technology a reality - we need to meet four goals:
-
Connect every classroom to the Internet by the year 2000
-
Access to modern, multimedia computers
-
Teachers that can use technology effectively
-
High quality educational software/content
We need to make sure that all children have access to this technology - avoid
further polarization of American society.
B.
Administration Record/Agenda
More than $700 million in budget for educational technology for FY99
E-rate (discounts of 20 to 90 percent to connect schools and libraries to the
Internet)
Catalyst for voluntary activities (NetDay, TechCorps)
C.
Possible New Proposals
Although not "new" our proposals in the FY99 budget to train at least 1
teacher per
school; and train all new teachers to use technology have not received a
great deal of attention. If we could get some companies to join with us and
leverage our budget proposal -- this could make news.
MIT.A29
Page 5
3. Life-long learning
A. Themes
Returns from education are growing (up to 10 percent increase in wages for
1 year community college, many companies report that they can not find
enough people with the skills they need, and the useful "half-life" of skills is
shrinking.
Many workers would like to upgrade their skills -- but find it difficult to
attend classroom-based instruction. They may live in a rural area, or find it
difficult to balance the competing demands of work and family. Allowing
them to learn at a time, place and pace that is convenient for them will
expand access to higher education and life-long learning.
B. Administration Record/Agenda
The President has requested:
Legislation to waive the regulations in the Higher Education Act to permit
"virtual universities" and other distance learning pilot projects -- include
computers in the cost of attendance, etc.
$30 million grant program to promote distance learning pilots - Learning
Anytime Anywhere Partnerships.
C. Possible New Proposals
Challenge a team of the best software companies, creative talent, and
educators to develop high-quality software that will help lift Americans from
low-wage jobs (e.g. GED equivalence, adult literacy, English as a Second
Language).
MIT A29
Page 6
4. Health Care
A. Themes
Information technology can:
Improve the quality of care in underserved rural areas by giving them access
to the best specialists in the country (telemedicine)
Allow people to make better informed decisions (consumer health
information, evaluation of managed health care plans)
Allow people to stay at home with their family (monitoring - home health
care)
Reduce administrative costs and paperwork (electronic claims)
B. Administration Record/Agenda
Connect all rural health care hospitals/clinics through Universal Service -
beginning in 1998
"One stop" access to health information through "HealthFinder" web site
$140 million in grants to develop new information technologies for health
care
Proposal for privacy of medical records
C. Possible New Proposals
Direct HHS to expand re-imbursement for telemedicine through HCFA
Expand efforts to make quality information on health care plans available on
the Internet
MIT.A29
Page 7
5. Improving the Quality of Life for people with disabilities
A. Themes
Information technology could improve quality of life for people with
disabilities and improve their ability to participate in the workforce -- if
information systems are designed to be accessible for the 50 million
Americans with disabilities
If this is done -- it could mean a whole new universe of information and
services is accessible. "Text-to-speech" technology could make all electronic
information accessible to someone who is blind -- as opposed to just books
on tape or Braille. Speech recognition technology could allow someone who
can not use a keyboard to use a computer
By making computers useful for people with disabilities -- we wind up
improving performance for everyone -- just as curbcuts help families with
strollers in addition to people with wheelchairs.
B. Administration Record/Agenda
President signed Telecommunications Act of 1996 - which requires
telecommunications companies to make telecom equipment accessible
Administration has proposed strengthening the laws that require government
agencies to purchase information technology that is accessible.
Administration provided seed funding for Web Accessibility Initiative to make
the World Wide Web accessible for people with disabilities (project is located
at MIT)
C. Possible New Proposals
Increase research and development in those areas that will make computers
more accessible for people with disabilities (speech recognition,
text-to-speech, recognition of gestures, etc.
Train the next generation of engineers to design systems that are accessible
(develop curriculum, etc.)
Direct federal agencies to make the government's Web sites accessible.
MIT.A29
Page 8
6. Crisis Management
A. Themes
Information technology could dramatically improve the way we respond to natural
and man-made disasters - saving thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Possible
applications include:
Wireless data networks for linking crisis field stations;
Networks that discover and react to changes in available communications
links;
Software that helps crisis managers makes decisions based on incomplete
information from sources with varying levels of quality and reliability;
Modeling and simulation of manmade and natural disasters that are linked to
real-time sensor data (e.g. better prediction of tornadoes, wildfires, etc.)
Virtual "anchor desks" that allow crisis officials to use remote computers
information, and human expertise.
B. Administration Record/Agenda
Vice President has encouraged development of Global Disaster Information
Network to better share information from intelligence community to the
emergency management community.
C. Possible New Proposals
Fund R&D and test-beds that will develop the technologies for better
prediction and response to natural and man-made disasters (see above for
examples).
Thomas L. Freedman
04/14/98 11:49:51 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Michael Waldman/WHO/EOP
CC:
Mary L. Smith/OPD/EOP
Subject: Commencement Speech
My main thought is that the speech is not about technology. It is about reinforcing our values and
goals, and how we can come closer to achieving our ideal world.
The idea of a computer in every home or the ability to access your government by the internet is
not that compelling, most people probably have a mixed reaction to it in the abstract.
But the notion of creating a country where it is much easier to get an education, criminals are
tracked comprehensively, medical expertise is distributed quickly to every hospital that needs it,
and you can have your voice heard easily on what is happening in your neighborhood and in
Washington, is compelling.
So I guess that means going at it as results, what it means for you, as opposed to do-dads. Make
it clear that technology is a means, the speech is about the ends -- the goals and how we can
better reach our dream for the nation. What do you think?
MITSPEE WPD
Page 1
April 13, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
RE:
MIT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
I. Summary:
We think that your June 5th MIT address might be an opportunity to give a
major policy address on the Information Revolution and its implications for all
Americans.
This speech would differ from your July 1997 address on the Int. net and
global electronic commerce because it would focus more on the social
dimensions of the Information Revolution -- and concrete steps that
government, industry and academia can take to promote the benefits and
applications of information technology that go beyond buying and selling on
the Internet -- and address the problem of "information haves and
have-nots." The theme would be "Putting People First in the Information
Age."
The speech would spell out a three-part agenda:
Continuing to invest in the long-term research and development that
will sustain the Information Revolution.
Promoting applications of information technology that benefit real
people, and help prevent America from being divided into information
"haves" and "have-nots."
Take steps to address the potential downsides of the Information
Revolution -- such as an erosion of personal privacy, and create an
initiative that would explore the ethical, legal, and social implications
of the Information Revolution.
Given the leadership role that the Vice President has played in these issues,
we would want to work closely with him before presenting you with a final
proposal.
II. Why focus on the Information Revolution?
MITSPEE.WPD
Page 2
We believe that focusing on the Information Revolution is appropriate
because of (1) the rapid pace of change of the technology; (2) the expanding
utilization of information technology by more and more Americans; and (3) its
pervasive impact on virtually all aspects of our economic and social life. For
example:
Our ability to store, process, and transmit information is continuing to
improve at exponential rates. The semiconductor industry is already
developing the technology that will allow them to put billions of transistors
on a single integrated circuit. Fiber optics technology will eventually allow us
to transmit all of the phone traffic on Mother's Day on a single strand of
fiber.
The Internet, which connected 2,000 computers in 1985, now connects 30
million computers, and is continuing to double in size every year. Forty-two
percent of all households now have personal computers.
Satellite and wireless systems will soon provide users with "anytime,
anywhere" communication.
III. What are some of the specific applications of information technology that can
improve our quality of life?
Your speech might discuss steps we can take to promote the use of
information technology in ways that will improve the quality of life for all
Americans. Some examples are:
Life-long learning: A growing number of working Americans would like to
upgrade their skills but find it difficult to participate in traditional
campus-based instruction. By allowing adults to learn at a time, place and
pace that is convenient for them -- distance learning can make it easier for
them to upgrade their skills and compete for the jobs that the New Economy
is creating.
Empowering low income Americans: Many applications of information
technology could empower low income Americans, including:
-
Community Technology Centers that would make it easier for people
without access to computers to acquire information technology skills.
The President's Educational Technology Initiative is designed to ensure
that all schools -- not just wealthy schools -- have access to
computers, the Internet, and teachers that can use technology
effectively in the classroom.
MITSPEE:WPD
Page 3
High-quality software for adult basic education (English as a Second
Language, GED equivalence, adult literacy, remedial math) could help
advance our Welfare-to-Work initiative.
Public health networks that seek to increase childhood immunization
rates in our inner cities by generating automatic reminders to doctors,
parents, and school principals.
"Neighborhood Early Warning Systems" that give advance warning
when communities are headed for trouble (based on vacancies, loan
delinquencies, etc.)
Curbcuts on the Information Superhighway: Information technology can
make it easier for more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to
participate in the workplace and increase their independence -- but only if
information technology is designed from the beginning to be usal e by all
Americans. For example, speech recognition technology can allow people
with disabilities who can not use a keyboard to use a computer. By
converting "text to speech" -- technology can dramatically increase the
information that people who are blind or low vision have access to.
Health care: Personal health information systems can allow people to make
more informed decisions about their health care needs. Telemedicine can
improve the quality of care in rural areas by giving patients access to the
best specialists in the country.
Crisis management/public safety: Improvements in supercomputer technology
will increase our ability to predict tornadoes and other natural and man-made
disasters, and respond to them once they have occurred.
Delivery of government services: Information technology can make the
government more responsive, user-friendly, and transparent. The use of
information technology has been a cornerstone of the Vice-President's
National Performance Review.
IV. Potential risks of the Information Revolution such as privacy
In recent years, Americans have become increasingly concerned about their
privacy. In a recent Louis Harris poll, eight out of ten Americans surveyed agreed
that "consumers have lost all control over how personal information about them is
circulated and used by companies." Earlier this year, a three-part, front page
Washington Post series highlighted a number of examples of the growing erosion of
personal privacy, including sales by state governments of personal information.
MITSPEE:WPD
Page 4
Clearly, new technologies have made it easier to create, manipulate, store,
transmit, and link digital personally identifiable information. People may disclose
personal information about themselves as they travel, fill a prescription at the drug
store, visit a Web site, call a 1-800 number, send an e-mail, use. a credit card, or
purchase groceries using a discount card. Information about these individual
transactions may be bought and sold - and companies are now assembling giant
"data warehouses" that contain electronic dossiers on the needs, lifestyles; and
spending habits of millions of Americans.
These concerns are not just hypothetical. Beverly Dennis, a wcmen in
Massillion, Ohio, received a 12-page letter containing an intimately threatening
sexual fantasy from a stranger who knew her birthday, the names of her favorite
magazines, the fact that she was divorced, and the kind of soap she used in the
shower. The letter was written by a convicted rapist serving time in a Texas state
prison, who had been entering information for Metromail, a direct marketing firm
with detailed databases on more than 90 percent of American househo! S. Dennis'
suit disclosed that Metromail had 900 pieces of information on her going back to
1987, including not only her income, marital status, hobbies, ailments, but whether
she had dentures, the brands of antacid tablets she had taken, and how often she
had used room deodorizers, sleeping aids, and hemorrhoid remedies.
The NEC and DPC are reviewing options to strengthen privacy protection,
including: (1) meaningful industry self-regulation; (2) establishing a focal point for
privacy issues within the federal government; and (3) initiatives or legislation that
are designed to target specific aspects of the privacy problem (e.g. medical records,
kids, companies that develop "electronic dossiers" on millions of Americans).
It may also make sense to establish an initiative that looks at the broader
ethical, legal, and social implications of the Information Revolution. Currently, there
is no equivalent in the information technology area of the ESLI (Ethical, Legal and
Social Implications) Research Program of the National Human Genome Research
Institute. ELSI supports basic and applied research that identifies and analyzes
ethical, legal and social issues surrounding human genetics research, such as:
discrimination in insurance and employment based on genetic information; when
and how new genetic tests should be integrated into health care services; and
informed consent in genetics research!
April 3, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
JOHN PODESTA
SYLVIA MATHEWS
FROM:
MICHAEL WALDMAN
STEPHANIE STREETT
ANN LEWIS
CRAIG SMITH
JENNIFER PALMIERI
SUBJECT:
1998 COMMENCEMENTS
At your request, we are forwarding to you proposed themes, locations and dates for the
1998 commencements. Commencement addresses provide a unique opportunity to highlight
major new proposals, or discuss provocative subjects in depth. Each of the three recommended
speeches would be independently newsworthy; taken together, they deal with America in the new
century.
Where another commencement speaker has already been chosen, we have included that
information.
I. AMERICA IN THE INFORMATION AGE
This would be a chance for you to talk in sweeping terms about our nation's response to
the challenges of the Information Age -- the dynamic impact of new technologies, the new
inequalities they can create, and their revolutionary, democratizing potential. This speech could
announce a goal of a new national policy to put a computer in the home of every child -- and
pledge to use regulatory, tax and other means to achieve that goal in years to come. It could also
address issues ranging from computers in the classroom to antitrust to privacy. Finally, it could
discuss new opportunities and threats beyond our borders as result of globalization and the
spread of information technology.
Recommendation:
June 5, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Student Population: 9,774
NIH scientist David Hsu, last year's Time man-of-the-year, is scheduled to speak at the
commencement. (We would recommend that both of you speak.)
II. NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
This year, you will be speaking to the U.S. Naval Academy on May 22. You will have
returned two days before from your trip to Europe for the Summit of the Eight and the USEU
Summit. The NSC recommends either of the following topics:
Defense Policy for the 21st Century. This commencement address would focus on
bringing America's military into a new era, able to deal not only with traditional threats but also
the new threats as well.
Meeting New Threats to America's Security: This commencement address would discuss
our strategy for combating a nexus of new threats: the spread of nuclear, chemical, and
biological weapons; high tech challenges to our critical infrastructure; and increasingly
interconnected rogue states, terrorists, international criminals and drug traffickers.
III. IMMIGRATION AND NEW CITIZENSHIP IN THE 21st CENTURY
This commencement address would be an excellent opportunity to talk about the
immigration and the requirements of citizenship in an era of increasing diversity. The United
States is undergoing the third great wave of immigration; this speech would unambiguously
declare that this is a good thing for America, helping to revitalize our cities and enrich our
culture in the 21st Century. The speech would challenge all Americans -- native, naturalized,
and newly arrived - to live up to the requirements of citizenship, the common values and shared
duties that are at the core of our civil society and civic culture.
Recommendation:
June 13, Portland State University, student population 10,000 -- 10% Asian, 3%
Hispanic, 3% African-American. 44% of students are 25 years or older. Secretary
Shalala is currently scheduled to speak.
IV.
POSSIBLE EDUCATION SPEECH AT A CHARTER SCHOOL
We are also looking into the possibility of your speaking at the graduation exercises of a
charter school. This probably would not be covered as a commencement speech, per se. Rather,
would be an opportunity to do a message event about your education agenda.
2