Forward Together - Gov. Mark R. Warner, Honorary Chair

Over the past two decades, America has seen an unprecedented growth of innovation and prosperity. Tiny start-ups based on great ideas have become technology leaders, employing hundreds of thousands of Americans. And in recent years, we have begun to see a revitalization of grassroots democracy, with more and more Americans participating in civic life. At the core of this boom has been the level playing field offered by the Internet, the free and open network that doesn't play favorites.

Today, however, legislation being considered in Congress threatens to close this window of opportunity, fragment the global network, and impede our progress. We cannot allow that to happen.

We live in a time of transformational change. While America led the way in the creation of the Internet, we now rank 16th in the world in broadband penetration. We need to again be at the forefront of the technology revolution. American values -- our belief in opportunity for all -- are exactly what we need to keep competitive in years ahead.

A free and open Internet is especially vital for efforts to expand broadband access in rural America. Without it, rural areas could have no phone competition and a lack of access to high-end services like video. For many communities that are already physically isolated, free and open broadband is their best shot to participate in the 21st Century economy.

We need to move forward together and ending net neutrality would be a step in the exact wrong direction. American 21st century competitiveness depends on a free, open, and neutral Internet.