Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman supports a Federal Communications Commission recommendation to preserve the nation's E-rate program.  Glickman says the move will help bring rural areas into the information age.

FCC Chairman Bill Kennard has recommended that the program be preserved.  The E-rate program, financed by the telecommunications industry to provide internet services and concection discounts to schools, libraries and health care providers.

Kennard's recommendation that Congress fully fund the program "would ensure that rural communities...can become full partners in the information age," says Glickman.  E-rate funds will help improve rural schools, libraries, health care facilities and telecommunications services, he adds.