Clinton places focus on future

By Yael Kohen

Daily Staff Reporter

YPSILANTI - As access to the Internet spreads and personal information becomes more readily available, President Clinton addressed concerns that many may be having about their own personal security.

"All the possibilities must be measured against the challenges of this new era. Challenges to our privacy as individuals, to our pledge of equal opportunity to every member of our community, to our stewardship of the environment as citizens of the planet," Clinton said yesterday to Eastern Michigan University's graduating class at their commencement ceremony.

"We are in the midst of a profound revolution, the most sweeping since the industrial revolution a century ago," Clinton said.

With major advances in technology that include genetic research and advanced internet access, the President outlined plans to ensure privacy is not jeopardized by technology in areas of individual financial and medical records.

"The same genetic code that offers hope for millions can also be used to deny health insurance. The same technology that links distant places can also be used to track our every move online," Clinton said adding that "we can't let breakthroughs in technology, break walls of privacy."

The President's plan includes allowing consumers to determine what information can be exchanged between two companies; banning the use of medical records against individuals in cases of health coverage, mortgages and credit; protecting personal consumer information; and ensuring access to records and correction of errors.

Among other issues concerning the President is the widening gap between the rich and poor because of limited access to technology.

"Just as we had to close the industrial divide in the 20th century, we must now close the digital divide in the 21st century," Clinton said, later adding that "we have to make the Internet as common as telephone usage."

Information technology makes up one-third of the nation's growth but uses only 8 percent of the workforce, Clinton said, emphasizing the need to narrow the "digital divide".

The environment - particularly global warming and greenhouse emissions - poses another threat to the President as technology rapidly advances into the 21st century.

According to scientists the earth is warming on an average of four degrees a century, which makes many policy makers concerned about its effects on the environment such as the evaporation of water resources, Clinton said.

The President mentioned the negative consequences of depleting water levels, using the Great Lakes as an example.

"Many people still believe that we must choose ... between preserving our environment and making the economy grow. Thankfully, in our digital economy that is simply not true anymore. It is now possible to grow an economy and improve an environment at the same time," Clinton said.

The President added that he is encouraging Congress to adopt legislation for research and development and to offer significant tax incentives to developers of products that emit less greenhouse gases and to the people who buy them.

"You can have all the computers and all the money in the world and if we squander God's environment it won't be worth very much," he said.

He stressed that with the strongest economy in the world the United States must serve as an example to the rest of the world by controlling environmental factors.

vacy is not jeopardized by technology in areas of individual financial and medical records.

"The same genetic code that offers hope for millions can also be used to deny health insurance. The same technology that links distant places can also be used to track our every move online," Clinton said adding that "we can't let breakthroughs in technology, break walls of privacy."

The President's plan includes allowing consumers to determine what information can be exchanged between two companies; banning the use of medical records against individuals in cases of health coverage, mortgages and credit; protecting personal consumer information; and ensuring access to records and correction of errors.

Among other issues concerning the President is the widening gap between the rich and poor because of limited access to technology.

"Just as we had to close the industrial divide in the 20th century, we must now close the digital divide in the 21st century," Clinton said, later adding that "we have to make the Internet as common as telephone usage."

The environment - particularly global warming and greenhouse emissions - poses another threat, said the President, as technology rapidly advances into the 21st century.

The President mentioned the negative consequences of depleting water levels, using the Great Lakes as an example.

"Many people still believe that we must choose ... between preserving our environment and making the economy grow. Thankfully, in our digital economy that is simply not true anymore. It is now possible to grow an economy and improve an environment at the same time," Clinton said.

The President added that he is encouraging Congress to adopt legislation for research and development and to offer significant tax incentives to developers of products that emit less greenhouse gases and to the people who buy them.

"You can have all the computers and all the money in the world and if we squander God's environment it won't be worth very much," he said.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily

President Clinton addresses the graduating class at the Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University yesterday.