Newly elected Del. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun)  already  is  making  a statement in Virginia's House.
     Last week, Black spoke on the House floor in support  of  an  amendment to the Appropriations Act that would require public schools and libraries to restrict Internet use with  filtering  software  that  blocks  obscene  material.  The amendment passed by a vote of 53 to 40.   The  funding  legislation now
is in joint committee.
     "This is a problem that afflicts communities across  the commonwealth," Black   told  fellow  delegates,  referring  to  pornography  on  the  Internet.
     Individual school  districts and county library  systems  make  their  own rules governing the Internet.  Last  fall, before  being  elected to  the House, Black, a member of the Loudoun County Library Board of Trustees, helped pass one of the nation's most restrictive Internet-use policies for the library system.

     Under the controversial policy, library computers have been equipped with filtering software that is designed to block patrons from gaining access to pornographic material on the Internet.  Children younger than 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian to use the Internet.

     Last Friday, a federal district judge heard testimony from lawyers representing Loudoun library patrons and the American Civil Liberties Union, who say the policy is a violation of patrons' and publishers' free speech rights because it blocks legitimate sites as well as pornographic ones.

      U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema - a former librarian - said she will issue a written decision, probably later this month.    

Washington Post, March 5, 1998