Break-up Remedy for Microsoft Not Supported
by Key Democrats

Contact: Ken Brown
703-351-4969/703-608-4222
ARLINGTON, VA (April 24, 2000) -- Responding to reports that the Justice Department will recommend drastic remedies against Microsoft including possible breakup of the company, Kenneth Brown, Senior Vice President of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution said today that such a plan is not universally supported among Democratic Members of Congress.
"There is an effort to spin the Microsoft case as a partisan issue, Brown notes, but clearly it is not." " I have discussed this with a number of Members of Congress who either:
a) oppose the break-up as a remedy or b) are skeptical of the merits of the case and are awaiting the results of the appeal. What is absent from reporting is that a number of leaders in the House - particularly leaders in the black community - view the inevitable reduction of economic opportunity as penalizing the public more than Microsoft."

Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10) said earlier this month that it is imperative "to ensure that we do not overlook many of the tremendous benefits that Microsoft has given to America - and African-Americans in particular. No one can seriously dispute that the Microsoft phenomenon has had a profound impact on the way every American lives today. . . . Together, Bill Gates and Microsoft have donated over $20 million to the United Negro College Fund and other organizations helping to educate future generations of Americans. They also have taken great steps to bridge the digital divide."

Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY-6) seconds Towns' opinion and agreed that he did not believe there is a need to consider breaking up Microsoft.

"There will always be big fish; it is part of the history of business in this country," explains Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC-6) and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. "That doesn't mean that if a company is found guilty of competition violations there should be a knee-jerk reaction to breaking them up. It is not cost-beneficial to the economy to break up Microsoft. Look at the drastic effects this case has already had on the stock market. "We need to pursue other remedies. There has to be other ways to enhance and create competition."

"We need a nationwide strategy to train teachers, upgrade schools, and create partnerships with corporations," says Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30). "Our priorities need to focus more on creating an environment where everyone can participate in the technology revolution. "We don't need a break-up of Microsoft," says Johnson. "We need adequate training in schools so we have more Bill Gates'."

Break-up Remedy for Microsoft Not Supported
by Key Democrats

Contact: Ken Brown
703-351-4969/703-608-4222
ARLINGTON, VA (April 24, 2000) -- Responding to reports that the Justice Department will recommend drastic remedies against Microsoft including possible breakup of the company, Kenneth Brown, Senior Vice President of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution said today that such a plan is not universally supported among Democratic Members of Congress. "There is an effort to spin the Microsoft case as a partisan issue, Brown notes, but clearly it is not." " I have discussed this with a number of Members of Congress who either: a) oppose the break-up as a remedy or b) are skeptical of the merits of the case and are awaiting the results of the appeal. What is absent from reporting is that a number of leaders in the House - particularly leaders in the black community - view the inevitable reduction of economic opportunity as penalizing the public more than Microsoft." Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10) said earlier this month that it is imperative "to ensure that we do not overlook many of the tremendous benefits that Microsoft has given to America - and African-Americans in particular. No one can seriously dispute that the Microsoft phenomenon has had a profound impact on the way every American lives today. . . . Together, Bill Gates and Microsoft have donated over $20 million to the United Negro College Fund and other organizations helping to educate future generations of Americans. They also have taken great steps to bridge the digital divide." Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY-6) seconds Towns' opinion and agreed that he did not believe there is a need to consider breaking up Microsoft. "There will always be big fish; it is part of the history of business in this country," explains Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC-6) and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. "That doesn't mean that if a company is found guilty of competition violations there should be a knee-jerk reaction to breaking them up. It is not cost-beneficial to the economy to break up Microsoft. Look at the drastic effects this case has already had on the stock market. "We need to pursue other remedies. There has to be other ways to enhance and create competition." "We need a nationwide strategy to train teachers, upgrade schools, and create partnerships with corporations," says Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30). "Our priorities need to focus more on creating an environment where everyone can participate in the technology revolution. "We don't need a break-up of Microsoft," says Johnson. "We need adequate training in schools so we have more Bill Gates'."

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