Representative Miller: Democrats Will Use Technology to Broaden Public Access to Capitol Hill
Representative Miller: Democrats Will Use Technology to Broaden Public Access to Capitol Hill
To demonstrate how Democrats in the new Congress will use innovative technologies to give Americans greater access to the policy process, U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA), participated in an online event today in Second Life. Miller said that today's Second Life event is an example of the many new forms of communication that Democratic leaders in the new Congress hope to use to encourage dialogue and discussion between policy leaders, stakeholders, and the public on issues of key concern to American families.
"Democrats want to use technology to help broaden the public's access to elected leaders and open up the policy process the widest possible spectrum of views, insights and opinions," said Miller. "The Speaker is very excited about the promise and possibilities of working in the Second Life environment. Major American corporations and prestigious learning institutions like Harvard and MIT have all found ways to use second life to open up new opportunities for business, education and collaboration. We hope to do the same for public policy."
Second Life is an online virtual world that allows users to create realistic communities and experiences over the internet. Today's event allowed participants to watch the swearing-in ceremonies for the 110th Congress live, and then discuss the priorities of the new Congress with Miller, including Democrats' plans for the first 100 hours.
As the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Miller plans to hold online "e-hearings", use video-conferencing technology, and host field hearings across the country to ensure that the voices of American workers, students, and families are heard on Capitol Hill. Miller launched the Democrats' first use of the e-hearing in May of 2005, and has since held two additional e-hearings on worker retirement security and the rising costs of college.
http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/press/rel1407.html