December 09, 2008

Governor Riley Launches Connecting Families Initiative

Deployed troops, families back home will be able to
communicate with webcams

Gov. Riley stands with the family of Col. Christopher Morgan in front of a computer at the Wetumpka Public Library as they communicate with Col. Morgan, who is serving in Afghanistan, by means of the “Connecting Families” program launched today. More than 100 libraries throughout the state are being equipped with computers, broadband access and video web cameras so families of deployed military personnel can visually communicate with their deployed family members. Funding for the program comes from a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

MONTGOMERY - Alabama families who have loved ones deployed overseas in the military will be able to visit public libraries across the state and visually communicate with them using computers equipped with video web cameras, Governor Bob Riley announced today.

The new program, called Connecting Families, puts the video webcams and computers in more than 100 libraries throughout the state. Alabamians will be able to make appointments with the libraries when they can come in and use the technology to see and talk to their deployed family members.

“We’re grateful not only for our troops but also for the families who serve by their side, even though thousands of miles often separate them. Like our soldiers, the families sacrifice so much. Anytime we have an opportunity to help our brave troops and their families back home, we must take it,” Governor Riley said.

Rebecca Mitchell, director of the Alabama Public Library Service, said Alabama is the only state in the nation with this program.

Connecting Families is a partnership between the public library service and the Alabama Broadband Initiative that Governor Riley launched earlier this year. The program got its start thanks to grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

But the program’s real impetus came from Chief Warrant Officer Randy Hickman, who was unable to communicate via webcam with his family in Elmore County while he was serving in Iraq. The problem wasn’t due to a lack of broadband access at his base in Iraq, but rather because his home 20 miles outside Montgomery didn’t have high-speed Internet access.

Hickman contacted Governor Riley’s office, which got the Broadband Initiative involved. The Governor and Mitchell announced Connecting Families at the Wetumpka Public Library, with Hickman and his family in attendance.

The project got its first demonstration today at the Wetumpka library when Col. Christopher Morgan, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, visited with his wife Leslie and their children via the video hookup.

Note: A list of public libraries that are part of the Connecting Families program is attached.