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[Page H8148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RURAL BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an
issue that is incredibly important to me as a senior member of the
House Agriculture Committee.
My vision for the future of rural America includes rebuilding the
communities that provide much of our food, fiber, and energy, and to
provide support for a robust rural economy. Of course, this is
virtually impossible without reliable, high-speed, 5G broadband
connectivity.
In the late 1800s, Thomas Edison created the first practical
incandescent lightbulb. By 1925, half of all homes in the United States
had electricity. Today, we take electricity for granted. We don't think
twice when we flip a switch.
As we continue to experience today's modern technical revolution, it
is my goal to see 5G broadband just as commonplace. Twenty-four million
Americans still do not have access to broadband, and the vast majority
of these people live in rural areas.
A 2017 study by the United States Department of Agriculture
discovered that 29 percent of American farmers did not have reliable
internet access, despite the fact that agriculture is all about
technology today. Without reliable broadband access, we are leaving
money on the table, and the American economy is failing to meet its
fullest potential.
Connectivity and competition go hand in hand, and we can continue to
invest in rural communities with 5G. Agriculture, healthcare, energy,
education, and so many other industries demand this level of service.
In 2018, we ushered in a new farm bill that underscored the
importance of broadband in rural America. Under broadband guaranteed
lending programs, larger rural communities are permitted to build
infrastructure for telecommunication networks.
The farm bill also supports broadband development where it is most
needed by prioritizing funds to rural communities that are at least 90
percent unserved.
We can also encourage innovation on this front through opportunity
zones. Established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Mr. Speaker,
opportunity zones incentivize long-term investments--private-sector
investments--in rural, underserved, or economically distressed areas
across the Nation through public-private partnerships.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are 300 opportunity
zones--there are 18 congressional districts--and I am proud that 31 of
these are in my district.
To tackle broadband development head-on, the FCC has introduced the
idea of gigabit opportunity zones, and the proposal has a promising
future ahead of it. Gigabit opportunity zones are designed specifically
to address underserved areas by incentivizing State and local
governments to foster connectivity, ultimately streamlining
regulations, supporting job creators, and strengthening our
neighborhoods.
Mr. Speaker, with continued investment in 5G broadband development,
the future of rural America looks bright.
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