2011
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
                    
       HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 11-1016
       
       BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Labuda, Acree, Balmer, Barker,
       Baumgardner, Becker, Bradford, Brown, Casso, Conti, Coram, Court,
       DelGrosso, Duran, Ferrandino, Fields, Fischer, Gardner B., Gardner D.,
       Gerou, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst, Jones, Joshi, Kagan, Kefalas,
       Kerr A., Kerr J., Lee, Levy, Liston, Looper, Massey, McCann, McKinley,
       Miklosi, Murray, Nikkel, Pabon, Pace, Peniston, Priola, Ramirez,
       Riesberg, Ryden, Schafer S., Scott, Solano, Sonnenberg, Soper,
       Stephens, Summers, Swalm, Swerdfeger, Szabo, Todd, Tyler, Vaad,
       Vigil, Waller, Williams A., Wilson, McNulty;
       also SENATOR(S) Hudak, Aguilar, Bacon, Boyd, Brophy, Carroll,
       Foster, Giron, Guzman, Heath, Hodge, Jahn, King K., Morse, Newell,
       Nicholson, Roberts, Schwartz, Shaffer B., Spence, Steadman, Tochtrop,
       Williams S..
       
          CONCERNING RECOGNITION OF THE ROLE OF LIBRARIES
       IN EMPOWERING CITIZENS THROUGH ACCESS TO COMPUTER
       TECHNOLOGY, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,
       CELEBRATING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. 
       
       
          WHEREAS, Our nation's public, academic, school, and specialized
       libraries are integral resources for a healthy economic system and are
       especially vital to economic recovery and growth; libraries support
       businesses and contribute to the quality of life in the communities they
       serve; and
       
          WHEREAS, 98.7% of public libraries provide public access to the
       internet, thus contributing to technological empowerment and equitable
       access to information for all citizens and helping to narrow the "digital
       divide" among the citizenry; and
          
       
       
          
          WHEREAS, Seventy-six urban and rural communities in Colorado
       will receive new or enhanced public computer centers through the
       statewide Broadband Technology Opportunity Program grant, which is
       funded by federal economic stimulus funds; and
       
          
          WHEREAS, These grants will be used to purchase 451 desktop
       computers, 692 laptop computers, 69 computer workstations that comply
       with the requirements of the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act",
       and other equipment for public computer use and training in libraries and
       other community facilities; and
       
          WHEREAS, Training available to the public, provided at public
       libraries throughout Colorado, includes basic computer skills, workforce
       skills, and resources for adult education, general education diplomas, and
       college readiness; and
       
          WHEREAS, This expanded access to computer technology and the
       accompanying skills training will provide more people with the resources
       that they need to find jobs, start businesses, and contribute to the
       economy; and
       
          WHEREAS, Libraries have been, and continue to be, at the forefront
       of providing access to information and technological resources, especially
       to those who may not otherwise have such access, as well as assisting
       persons in many types of skills training and access to employment and
       business information; and
       
          WHEREAS, Libraries across Colorado are celebrating National
       Library Week from April 10th through 16th; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-eighth
       General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:
       
          That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly:
       
          (1)  Recognize the immense and long-standing contributions that
       libraries have made and continue to make to the education, employment
       preparation, business development, and cultural life of the communities
       they serve; and
       
          
          (2)  Express our appreciation for library and information professionals
       who strive to make information, knowledge, and skills available and
       accessible to all people.
       
          Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to
       the Honorable John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado, the Colorado
       Library Association, the Denver Public Library, the Arapahoe County
       Public Library, and the Jefferson County Public Library.
       
       
       
       _________________________________________________________
       Frank McNulty                    Brandon C. Shaffer 
       SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                    PRESIDENT OF
       OF REPRESENTATIVES                        THE SENATE
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Marilyn Eddins                        Cindi Markwell
       CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                SECRETARY OF
       OF REPRESENTATIVES                        THE SENATE
       
       
       
       
                   APPROVED________________________________________
       
       
       
                                     _________________________________________
                                     John W. Hickenlooper
                                     GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO