A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE REGIONAL BUILD-OUT OF THE NORTHEAST RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK (NEREN)

WHEREAS, the New England Governors' Conference recognizes that the research and education networks currently available in the New England states provide a valuable asset for education and for the advancement of research among the university community; and

WHEREAS, the NEGC recognizes that linking these individual networks together to construct a “Northeast Research and Education Network” (NEREN) will significantly strengthen the individual state networks while providing an enormous opportunity for interstate collaborative research and e-learning across the regions K-20 systems; and

WHEREAS, the construction of NEREN will increase the region’s economic competitiveness and development capacity by linking and aggregating some of the most renowned and respected research institutions in the world; and

WHEREAS, NEREN will provide an essential redundant network across the Northeast to support and coordinate communication and disaster planning in cases of individual and multi-state emergencies as well as an effective platform for the integration of information from police, fire, emergency medical services, hospitals and airports at the local, state and federal levels; and

WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut has agreed to work on behalf of all the New England States to secure the necessary funding to complete the build-out of NEREN throughout New England;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NEGC supports the building of a Northeast Research and Education Network (NEREN) and recognizes Connecticut’s efforts to secure the necessary resources on behalf of all the New England States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEGC members, in addition to acknowledging their individual support, will request the assistance of their respective congressional delegations to support Connecticut’s efforts to seek resources for the build-out of NEREN.

Adopted at the meeting of New England Governors’ Conference, Inc., September 8, 2003.

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John G. Rowland
Governor of Connecticut
Chairman