The National Grange and the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA), the national trade association for the cell phone industry, are now seeking real life, personal success stories regarding how cell phones have improved the lives of farmers and rural citizens. These real life experiences will become part of the packet of information about the impact of cell phones and cell phone technology on rural America that CTIA will present to members of Congress as Congress takes up legislation to reform our nation’s existing telecommunications laws. CTIA reached out to partner with the National Grange on this project because the National Grange is the most logical, respected and credible source of real life, grassroots generated stories that can illustrate the value of cell phone technology in rural communities.

Your voice and your experiences are very important to make sure Congress realizes the indispensability of cell phone technology to rural areas.

Your unique success stories using cell phones in your personal life could become part of the official record of Congress as they work to reform our nation’s telecommunications laws. Please write brief stories or examples of how cell phones have helped you or how they are being used in creative ways in rural/farming communities and send it to the National Grange at chwang@nationalgrange.org by Wednesday March 8. Your personal contact information will be edited out of the stories to protect your privacy, unless we contact you and ask for specific permission to disclose your identity.

Possible story themes are:

• Cell phones helped improve my communications with family members or employees working in remote locations.
• Cell phones are indispensable for the growth and/or operation of my farm or my small rural businesses.
• Cell phones helped me in an emergency situation in a remote area.
• Cell phones help me or members of my family have greater personal freedom to live more independent lives.

If you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst Chil-Sook Hwang by e-mail: chwang@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109.

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Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program