Improving Access to Government Services and Information

September 22, 2000

Today, in an Internet address to the nation, President Clinton announced the launch of FirstGov – the first U.S. Government web site to provide the public with one-stop access to all federal government on-line information and services. Located at www.firstgov.gov, FirstGov will allow citizens to search all on-line federal government resources from one site, conduct searches faster and more efficiently, and access federal government information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Last June, the President announced the concept of FirstGov in his first-ever webcast address to the nation, challenging government and industry to finish its creation within 90 days. Today – exactly 90 days later – the President announced the launch of the site. Building on President Clinton’s and Vice President Gore’s efforts to expand citizen access to on-line government, FirstGov will cut red tape, make government more responsive, and expand opportunities for participation in our democracy.

BRINGING GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE. FirstGov connects Americans to all 27 million federal agency web pages, providing citizens with a single point of entry to one of the largest and most useful collections of web pages in the world. With FirstGov, citizens can take advantage of a wide array of government services, such as applying for student loans, planning for retirement, tracking Social Security benefits, getting advice on buying a home or starting a business, reserving a campsite in a national park, or conducting research at the Library of Congress. FirstGov will bring government closer to the American people, expand the reach of democracy and making government more responsive to citizens. The FirstGov web site:

BUILDING ON A RECORD OF LEADERSHIP IN E-GOVERNMENT AND TECHNOLOGY. As the first Administration of the Internet Age, President Clinton and Vice President Gore have worked to expand the use of technology in schools, bridge the digital divide and make technology available for all Americans, promote electronic commerce, and accelerate research and development that will help create more high-paying jobs in the future. Under the Clinton-Gore Administration:



White House at Work

White House at Work 2000

White House at Work 1999

White House at Work 1998

White House at Work 1997

Urging Senate Republicans to Pass a Real Patients’ Bill of Rights

Providing Long-Term Care Insurance to Federal Workers

Calling on Congress to Act Now on Permanent Conservation Funding

Working to Create Digital Opportunity for Americans with Disabilities

Improving Access to Government Services and Information

Urging Congress to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

Highlighting Record Gains for Working Families Across America

Announcing the Largest Budget Surplus in History

Working to Ensure Health Insurance Coverage for Children

The Clinton-Gore Administration: Cutting Student Loan Defaults and Opening the Doors of College for All Americans (10/2/00)

Historic Protection for America’s Environment and Cultural Heritage (10/11/00)

The Clinton-Gore Administration: Urging Congress to Support America’s Education Priorities

Helping To Make Our Roads Safer


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