Overview | Panelist Biographies | Video/Audio
For Immediate Release
September 2005
Media Advisory
Internet Caucus Briefing to Discuss
Governmental Control of the Internet
Ambassador Gross and Assistant Secretary Gallagher to Address Government Agency Staff in Pre-briefing on U.N. Information Society Summit
WHAT: The Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus hosted a briefing, entitled Global Internet Governance: Should There be an Enhanced Role for the U.N.?,
on Monday, September 12 at noon in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-339. U.S. Ambassador David Gross and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Michael Gallagher briefed congressional staff, key government agency officials, the press and members of the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, on issues relating to Internet governance, Internet public policy (spam and cyber security), and what they hope to achieve at the U.N. World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Recently the U.N. Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) recommended more intergovernmental involvement in Internet administration, moving away from what was primarily a private-sector-led endeavor. In September 2005, Ambassador Gross will participate in discussions in Geneva to advocate for a continuation of the market-based, private-sector approach to Internet development, eventually leading to the WSIS in November.
WHO: Ambassador David Gross is the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy in the State Department's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. The Ambassador will lead a U.S. delegation to the Geneva meeting (September 19) and to the culminating Summit in Tunis (November 2005). Michael Gallagher is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and as the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) he is the President's principal adviser on communications policy. The NTIA currently serves as the steward of the Internet's domain name and address system.
WHEN: Monday, September 12, 2005 from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. Boxed lunch will be served.
WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-339.
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Assuring Informed Decision-Making
The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee is a diverse group of public interest, non-profit and industry groups working to educate Congress and the public about important Internet-related policy issues. This event is hosted in conjunction with the Internet Caucus and its co-chairs - Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rick Boucher (D-VA), and Wireless Task Force Chair, Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA).