Bridging 'Digital Divide'

Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) connects quickly with strangers, whether outside a subway stop in his Brooklyn district, from the pulpit during a Sunday service or simply over the phone. Maybe it's his experience as a social worker, his vocation as a Baptist preacher or just the gift of gab that most successful politicians possess.

Whatever the reasons for his ability, it is clearly part and parcel of his drive to promote legislation and policies to narrow the digital divide and ensure minorities are connected to the world at large. Thanks to those efforts, this week Towns is scheduled to be the third recipient of the Walter Kaitz Foundation's “Diversity Advocate” award.

“We have to make certain that every child has an opportunity to be involved in telecommunications,” said Towns, who has represented New York's 10th district since 1983. “We have left some folks out, and we need to make certain that we don't do that.”

“When you look at Congressman Towns' record, it really does speak to a public official who has had a strong impact on diversity as it deals with particularly our industry,” said Kaitz Foundation executive director David M. Porter Jr., who also cited Towns-sponsored legislation to bridge the digital divide.

The bill — the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007 (HR 694), co-sponsored by Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) — passed the House Sept. 4 on a 331-59 vote, three years after its introduction.

The legislation calls for up to $250 million in grants to boost technology infrastructure and access on college campuses that disproportionately serve minority students.

According to Porter, Towns has also worked to create a telecommunications development fund to help foster minority ownership. He has received over $47,000 in campaign contributions from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

Towns has also focused a great deal of his attention on how the ratings services count minority viewers.

“Based on what we've seen in the past when it comes to ratings our communities are many times not considered,” he said. “There has been some improvement in that area but still there is a lot that needs to be done in order to make certain we are being counted. But, there is some sensitivity to it now and that to me is important as we move forward, I am hoping we can correct this mistake.”

No word, though, on the ratings for his own show, Congressman Ed Towns Presents, which airs every Friday on Brooklyn Community Access Television, the borough's public-access channel. There, he tries to provide his constituents with information about government services.

“I really feel that cable is very, very special because of the fact it has an opportunity to bring about that local flavor,” he said.

Karen Johnson oversees the congressman's local district office in Brooklyn. She has worked for him for nearly a quarter of a century, and is as much a fan as an employee.

Asked for a description of her boss, Johnson practically gushes with praise and kind words, “He's got an incredibly amicable fabulous personality. You like him immediately. ... He's really excellent about the way he communicates with people.”

But it is his professional focus, rather than personal qualities, that prompted the award.

Porter, who will meet Towns for the first time at the ceremony, said: “He has been a very positive advocate for diversity. So again, I think he is someone who exemplifies the principles the foundation is based upon.”