February 14, 2005 Senator Clinton introduces "Calling for 2-1-1" Act 2-1-1 is an easy and effective way to get non-emergency information WASHINGTON, D.C. --Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY) joined with her colleague Senator Elizabeth Dole (R- NC) to introduce S. 211, the Calling for 2-1-1 Act, legislation that creates nationwide access to 2-1-1. This number is designated for non-emergency information, including information about government services and volunteers opportunities. Senators Clinton and Dole first introduced this bill in the 108th Congress and are optimistic that it will garner much interest in the 109th Congress. 2-1-1 helps people who want to give back to their communities. 2-1-1 provides lots of information about volunteer opportunities and helps direct people who want to give donations. And in times of disaster, like the recent tsunami, 2-1-1 will provide information to make sure donations and volunteer time are directed efficiently and effectively. "The best part about the 2-1-1 system is that it is equally available to everyone. From the mother whose child is about to go off to war, to the constituent who needs advice about job opportunities in his or her area, 2-1-1 will help people access the information they need when they need it," said Senator Clinton. In mid-January, Senator Clinton visited Rochester, New York to help launch the first 2-1-1 call center in New York State. That call center will provide a simple, efficient, and convenient way for citizens in the Finger Lakes region of the state to obtain vital information about government services. The Calling for 2-1-1 Act will create at least one 2-1-1 call center, just like the one in Rochester, in every state in the country and will link every regional call center together to ensure statewide coverage. The Federal Communications Commission laid the groundwork for a 2-1-1 number in 2000 when it directed that telephone number to be reserved for information and referral to social- and human-services agencies. The major benefits of the 2-1-1 system are that it provides an easy-to-remember and universally available phone number that links individuals and families in need of information to the appropriate non-profit and government agencies. In addition to Senators Clinton and Dole, this bi-partisan legislation has 20 co-sponsors including Senators Benjamin Nelson, Richard Burr, Debbie Stabenow, Chuck Hagel, Maria Cantwell, Richard Lugar, Bill Nelson, Norm Coleman, Frank Lautenberg, Carl Levin, Mary Landrieu, Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer, Evan Bayh, Daniel Inouye, Robert Bennett, Arlen Specter, John Kerry, Tim Johnson and Mark Dayton.