Okaloosa County BOCC — February 3, 2015 — 2-3-15 Cox Connects the Gulf Coast

PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, approximately 80 percent of teachers assign homework online to today’s student; and WHEREAS, students without broadband and digital skills are being left behind in the classroom and in the job market; and WHEREAS, students with a computer and broadband at home have a graduation rate significantly higher than those without; and WHEREAS, 30 percent of Americans are at risk of becoming increasing isolated because they lack the skills and Internet service necessary to use it effectively; and WHEREAS, less than half of low-income K-12 students have broadband at home compared to more than 90 percent of higher-income families; and WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies require online job applications and 50 per- cent of today’s jobs require technology skills with that number growing every day; and WHEREAS, non-adopters are more likely to experience under-investment in community assets, lower than average job creation and slow economic growth; and WHEREAS, Cox Communications and Connect2Compete have brought reduced priced Internet services to low-income families to help these students succeed in today’s world; and WHEREAS, the James M Cox Foundation has provided a grant to provide 50 families along the Gulf Coast with not only low cost Internet services but also a free computer; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners for Okaloosa County, does hereby proclaim February 2015 as “COX CONNECTS THE GULF COAST MONTH” In Okaloosa County and calls upon the citizens of Okaloosa County to observe this month by assisting to spread the word on the importance of Internet to our children’s future. DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of February, 2015, CENTENNIAL YEAR. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA ATTEST: _________________________________ NATHAN D. BOYLES CHAIRMAN ___________________________ J D PEACOCK II CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT