The following statement from the President of the United States is 
self-explanatory.
-- Jim
Forwarded message:
> From owner-easi@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU Wed Sep 18 14:14:31 1996
> Date:         Wed, 18 Sep 1996 15:04:22 -0500
> From: PROF NORM COOMBS <NRCGSH@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU>
> Subject: Clinton Signs Copyright Access
> 
>                      Justice For All
> 
>             Clinton Approves Copyright Access
> 
> JFA congratulates disability rights advocates who worked with
> the publishing industry, Congress and the Clinton Administration
> to speed alternative-format access to copyrighted books!
> 
>      "I have today signed into law H.R. 3754, the "Legislative
> Branch Appropriations Act, 1997," said President Clinton.
> 
>      "The Act provides fiscal year 1997 appropriations for the
> Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the
> Capitol, the General Accounting Office, the Government Printing
> Office, and the Library of Congress.
> 
>      "I am especially pleased to sign into law a provision that
> will allow blind and visually impaired persons to get earlier
> access to books and other reading matter.  As a result of an
> agreement between the publishing industry and advocates for
> people with disabilities, books can now be converted into
> alternative formats such as Braille as soon as they appear
> in print.  Prior to this change, the Library of Congress and
> other organizations that sought to provide these materials
> had to obtain permission from copyright holders on a
> case-by-case basis, leading to lengthy delays in access to all
> types of reading material.  This law will help us reach our goal
> of full inclusion of people with disabilities.
> 
>      "I am also pleased with the provision that encourages
> the Senate to transfer excess or surplus computers and other
> educationally useful equipment to public schools at the lowest
> possible cost.  This complements our initiative to encourage
> Federal agencies to do the same to help integrate technology
> into school curriculums, and ensure that all students have the
> skills they will need to succeed in the information-intensive
> 21st century."
> 
>      "I am disappointed, however, that the Congress has passed
> up yet another opportunity to establish a drug testing policy
> for those who work in the legislative branch.  The Congress
> should follow the example of the White House and the other
> executive branch agencies and establish a comprehensive testing
> program for illegal drug use.
> 
>      "I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining
> regular FY 1997 appropriations bills and to send them to me in
> an acceptable form."
> 
>                         WILLIAM J. CLINTON
> 
>                          THE WHITE HOUSE
>                         September 16, 1996
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Fred Fay
> Justice-For-All Moderator
> jfa@mailbot.com
> 
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