This digest describes proposed legislation for the implementation of the National Research and Education Network (NREN). Issues and implications for teachers, students, researchers, and librarians are suggested and the emergence of the electronic network as a general communication and research tool is described. Developments in electronic communications and computing since the late 1960s are reviewed, including the development of such networks as ARPANET, NSFNET, Internet, BITNET, CSNET, and CREN. Implementation of the National High Performance Computing Act of 1990 would provide for: (1) the involvement of science agencies and national libraries in the development of resources for the NREN; (2) the linking of federal and industrial laboratories, educational institutions, and libraries; (3) the development of electronic information resources and services; and (4) the development of supercomputers and advanced software to support scientific and engineering research. However, before such a network can be instituted, several issues need to be resolved, including how to determine costs and management policies, guarantee universal access, provide user support and training, overcome organizational resistance to networking, maintain quality control of information resources, and adapt network services to research and education norms. New initiatives for network research, services, and advocacy have emerged as a result of growing support for national networking; these include the Corporation for National Research Initiatives, Reference Point, the Coalition for Networked Information, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. One common goal of these initiatives, one that educators and librarians share, is the desire to shape the future of national networking in such a way that its benefits are made available to a broad range of users. (10 references) (MAB)