NEWS FROM
U.S. Senator Al Gore
(D - Tennessee) SR 393 Russell Building, Washington, D.. 20510
(202) 224-4944
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Marla Romash
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 1992 (202) 224-7155
(301) 585-9408 (H)
Heidi Kukis
(202) 224-7170
GORE BILL APPLIES HIGH-TECH TO SCHOOLS. HEALTH CARE, BUSINESS
Key Part of Senate's Economic Leadership Strategy Unveiled Today
WASHINGTON -- Legislation that would create jobs,
strengthen educational opportunities and improve health care by
bringing high-performance computer technology into factories,
schools and hospitals will be introduced today (7/1) by Sen. Al
Gore, D-TN, as part of a comprehensive U.S. Economic Leadership
Strategy unveiled today by Senate Democrats.
"If we're going to strengthen our economy and create jobs,
we must move these advanced technologies from the laboratories
into the marketplace -- into the factories where cars are
manufactured, into the hospitals where surgery is performed and
into the schools where children are being educated," said Gore,
chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science,
Technology and Space.
"So that students from kindergarten through college, factory
workers and managers, doctors and health care providers can
benefit from the technologies available now only in research
laboratories and the data they can make accessible, we must expand
our efforts to bring advanced technologies to the people who can
benefit from their use," Gore said.
The Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992 is
part of a broader proposal, the Democratic Economic Leadership
Strategy, introduced today (7/1) by Senate Democrats. The package
of legislation is designed to ensure long-term economic growth by
investing in development and commercialization of new
technologies, enhancing U.S. manufacturing, improving education
and training, and opening foreign markets to American goods.
Specifically, Gore's bill would ensure that the technology
developed by the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 is applied
widely in K-12 education, libraries, health care and industry,
particularly manufacturing. It would authorize a total of $1.15
billion over the next five years.
The High Performance Computing Act, introduced by Gore,
creates a national, high-speed computer network and doubles
federal funding for high-performance computing research and
development. It was signed into law in December.
"To help increase U.S. competitiveness and create jobs for
Americans, the technology developed by the High-Performance
Computing Act must be moved from the laboratories into the
marketplace where it can be used. This new bill will make sure
this happens by developing practical applications for advanced
technologies and high-performance computing," Gore said.
"We are close to the day when a doctor in Los Angeles can
send the images from a CAT scan, via a high-speed computer
network, across country to specialists at the National Institutes
of Health for expert analysis," Gore said. "We are close to a day
when a child can retrieve books on-line from the Library of
Congress."
"Through the legislation I introduced today, hospitals,
universities, research centers, factories, schools and libraries
will be connected to advanced computer networks, sharing data,
increasing U.S. competitiveness and improving the quality of life
for all," Gore said.
The Information Infrastructure and Technology Act
charges the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) with
coordinating efforts to develop applications for high-performance
computing networking and assigns specific responsibilities to the
National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space
Agency, the National Institute of of Standards and Technology, and
the National Institutes of Health. It would expand the role of
OSTP in overseeing federal efforts to disseminate scientific and
technical information.
SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY ACT
The Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of
1992 builds on the High-Performance Computing Act introduced
by Senator Gore in 1988 and signed into law last year. The
new bill would ensure that the technology developed by the
High-Performance Computing Program is applied widely in K-12
education, in libraries, in health care, and in industry,
particularly manufacturing. It would authorize a total of
$1.15 billion over the next five years.
The bill would establish a multi-agency Information
Infrastructure Development Program to be coordinated by the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
This program would ensure the widest possible application of
high-performance computing and high-speed networking
technology. The Program would assign different agencies
responsibility for developing applications of this technology
in various areas, develop plans and budgets for developing
such applications, and ensure interagency cooperation and
coordination. In addition, the bill would assign a new
Associate Director at OSTP with responsibility for overseeing
Federal efforts to disseminate Federal scientific and
technical information.
The bill calls upon the National Science Foundation
(NSF) to fund projects to connect primary and secondary
schools to the NSFNET, a national computer network connecting
hundreds of colleges and universities around the country. In
addition, NSF is to develop educational software and provide
teacher training.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) at the Commerce Department is given responsibility for
developing networking technology for manufacturing.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), in conjunction
with NSF and other agencies, is to develop applications of
advanced computer and networking technology for health care.
This includes networks to link hospitals, doctor's offices,
and universities so health care providers and researchers can
share medical data and imagery, like CAT scans and X-rays.
NIH would also develop new software for manipulating medical
imagery and data.
The bill provides funding to both NSF and NASA to
develop technology for digital libraries", huge data bases
that store text, imagery, video, and sound and are accessible
over computer networks like NSFNET. The bill also funds
development of prototype "digital libraries" around the
country.
Authorizations by area and agency (in millions of dollar)
Agency FY93 FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 Total
NSF
education 20 40 60 80 100 300
libraries 10 20 30 40 50 150
NIST 30 40 50 60 70 250
manufacturing
NIH 20 40 60 80 100 300
health care
NASA 10 20 30 40 50 150
libraries
TOTALS 90 160 230 300 370 1150
S.2937 as introduced July 1, 1992
102nd Congress
2nd Session
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. GORE (for himself, Rockefeller (D-WV), Kerry (D-MA),
Prestler (R-SD), Riegle (D-MI), Robb (D-VA), Lieberman (D-CT),
Kerrey (D-NE) and Burns (R-MT)) introduced the following blll; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation.
____________________________________
A BILL
To expand Federal efforts to develop technologies for
applications of high-performance computing and
high-speed networking, to provide for a coordinated
Federal program to accelerate development and deployment
of an advanced information infrastructure, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Information Infrastructure
and Technology Act of 1992".
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) High-performance computing and high-speed
networks have proven to be powerful tools for improving
America's national security, industrial competitiveness,
and research capabilities.
(2) Federal programs, like the High-Performance
Computing Program established by Congress in 1991, have
played a key role in maintaining United States
leadership in high-performance computing, especially in
the defense and research sectors.
(3) High-performance computing and high-speed
networking have the potential to revolutionize many
fields, including education, libraries, health care, and
manufacturing, if adequate resources are invested in
developing the technology needed to do so.
(4) The Federal Government should ensure that the
technology developed under research and development
programs like the High-Performance Computing Program can
be widely applied for the benefit of all Americans.
(5) A coordinated, interagency program is needed to
identify and promote development of applications of
high-performance computing and high-speed networking
which will provide large economic and social benefits to
the Nation. These so-called "Grand Applications" should
include tools for teaching, digital libraries of
electronic information, computer systems to improve the
delivery of health care, and computer and networking
technology to promote United States competitiveness.
(6) The Office of Science and Technology Policy is
the appropriate office to coordinate such a program.
(b) PURPOSE.--It is the purpose of this Act to help
ensure the widest possible application of high-performance
computing and high-speed networking. This requires that the
United States Government--
(1) expand Federal support for research and
development on applications of high-performance
computing and high-speed networks for--
(A) improving education at all levels, from
preschool to adult education, by developing new
educational technology;
(B) building digital libraries of electronic
information accessible over computer networks like
the National Research and Education Network;
(C) improving the provision of health care by
furnishing health care providers and their patients
with better, more accurate, and more timely
information; and
(D) increasing the productivity of the
Nation's workers, especially in the manufacturing
sector; and
(2) improve coordination of Federal efforts to
deploy these technologies in cooperation with the
private sector as part of an advanced, national
information infrastructure.
SEC. 3. INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
title:
"TITLE VII--INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
"SEC. 701. The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, through the Federal Coordinating Council
for Science, Engineering, and Technology (hereafter in this
title referred to as the 'Council'), shall, in accordance
with this title--
"(1) establish an Information Infrastructure
Development Program (hereafter in this title referred to
as the 'Program') that shall provide for a coordinated
interagency effort to develop technologies needed to
apply high-performance computing and high-speed
networking in education, libraries, health care,
manufacturing, and other appropriate fields; and
"(2) develop an Information Infrastructure
Development Plan (hereafter in this title referred to as
the 'Plan') describing the goals and proposed activities
of the Program.
"SEC. 702.(a) The Plan shall contain recommendations for
a five-year national effort and shall be submitted to the
Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this
title. The Plan shall be resubmitted upon revision at least
once every two years thereafter.
"(b) The Plan shall--
"(1) establish the goals and priorities for the
Program for the fiscal year in which the Plan (or
revised Plan) is submitted and the succeeding four
fiscal years;
"(2) set forth the role of each Federal agency and
department in implementing the Plan;
"(3) describe the levels of Federal funding for
each agency and department, and specific activities,
required to achieve the goals and priorities established
under paragraph (1); and
"(4) assign particular agencies primary
responsibility for developing particular Grand
Applications of high-performance computing and
high-speed networks.
"(c) Accompanying the Plan shall be--
"(1) a summary of the achievements of Federal
efforts during the preceding fiscal year to develop
technologies needed for deployment of an advanced
information infrastructure;
"(2) an evaluation of the progress made toward
achieving the goals and objectives of the Plan;
"(3) a summary of problems encountered in
implementing the Plan; and
"(4) any recommendations regarding additional
action or legislation which may be required to assist in
achieving the purposes of this title.
"(d) The Plan shall address, where appropriate, the
relevant programs and activities of the following Federal
agencies and departments:
"(1) The National Science Foundation.
"(2) The Department of Commerce, particularly the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
"(3) The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
"(4) The Department of Defense, particularly the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
"(5) The Department of Energy.
"(6) The Department of Health and Human Services,
particularly the National Institutes of Health and the
National Library of Medicine.
"(7) The Department of the Interior, particularly
the United States Geological Survey.
"(8) The Department of Education.
"(9) The Department of Agriculture, particularly
the National Agricultural Library.
"(10) Such other agencies and departments as the
President or the Chairman of the Council considers
appropriate.
"(e) In addition, the Plan shall take into consideration
the present and planned activities of the Library of
Congress, as deemed appropriate by the Librarian of Congress.
"(f) The Council shall--
"(1) serve as lead entity responsible for
development of the Plan and interagency coordination of
the Program;
"(2) coordinate the high-performance computing
research and development activities of Federal agencies
and departments undertaken pursuant to the Plan and
report at least annually to the President, through the
Chairman of the Council, on any recommended changes in
agency or departmental roles that are needed to better
implement the Plan;
"(3) review, prior to the President's submission to
the Congress of the annual budget estimate, each agency
and departmental budget estimate in the context of the
Plan and make the results of that review available to
the appropriate elements of the Executive Office of the
President, particularly the Office of Management and
Budget; and
"(4) consult and ensure communication between
Federal agencies and research, educational, and industry
groups and State agencies conducting research and
development on and using high-performance computing.
"(g) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish an advisory committee on
high-performance computing and high-speed networking and
their applications, consisting of prominent representatives
from industry and academia who are specially qualified to
provide the Council with advice and information on uses of
high-performance computing and high-speed networking. The
advisory committee shall provide the Council with an
independent assessment of--
"(1) progress made in implementing the Plan;
"(2) the need to revise the Plan;
"(3) the balance between the components of the
Plan;
"(4) whether the research and development funded
under the Plan is helping to maintain United States
leadership in the application of computing technology;
"(5) ways to ensure government-industry cooperation
in implementing the Plan; and
"(6) other issues identified by the Director.
"(h)(l) Each Federal agency and department involved in
the Program shall, as part of its annual request for
appropriations to the Office of Management and Budget, submit
a report to that Office identifying each element of its
high-performance computing activities, which--
"(A) specifies whether each such element (i)
contributes primarily to the implementation of the Plan
or (ii) contributes primarily to the achievement of
other objectives but aids Plan implementation in
important ways; and
"(B) states the portion of its request for
appropriations that is allocated to each such element.
"(2) The Office of Management and Budget shall review
each such report in light of the goals, priorities, and
agency and departmental responsibilities set forth in the
Plan, and shall include, in the President's annual budget
estimate, a statement of the portion of each appropriate
agency or department's annual budget estimate that is
allocated to efforts to develop applications of
high-performance computing.
"SEC. 703. In this title, the following definitions
apply:
"(1) The term 'Grand Application' means an
application of high-performance computing and high-speed
networking that will provide large economic and social
benefits to a broad segment of the Nation's populace.
"(2) The term 'information infrastructure' means a
network of communications systems and computer systems
designed to exchange information among all citizens and
residents of the United States.".
SEC. 4. APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION.
(a) RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND
OTHER AGENCIES.--In accordance with the Plan developed under
section 701 of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et
seq.), as added by section 3 of this Act, the National
Science Foundation and other appropriate agencies shall
provide for the development of high-performance computing and
high-speed networking technology for use in education at all
levels. Such applications shall include but not be limited
to the following:
(1) Pilot projects that connect primary and
secondary schools to the Internet and the National
Research and Education Network to aid in development of
the software, hardware, and training material needed to
enable students and teachers to use networks to--
(A) communicate with their peers around the
country;
(B) communicate with educators and students in
colleges and universities;
(C) access databases of electronic
information; and
(D) access other computing resources.
(2) Development of computer software, computer
systems, and networks for teacher training.
(3) Development of advanced educational software.
(b) COOPERATION.--In carrying out this section, the
National Science Foundation shall work with the computer and
communications industry, authors and publishers of
educational materials, State education departments, local
school districts, and the Department of Education, as
appropriate.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation for the purposes of this section, $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 1993, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1994,
$60,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $80,000,000 for fiscal year
1996, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 5. APPLICATIONS FOR MANUFACTURING
(a) ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS AND NETWORKING
PROJECTS.--In accordance with the Plan developed under
section 701 of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et
seq.), as added by section 3 of this Act, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (hereafter in this
section referred to as the 'Institute') shall establish an
Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Project
(hereafter in this section referred to as the 'Project').
The purpose of the Project is to create a collaborative
multiyear technology development program involving the
Institute, United States industry, and, as appropriate, the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National
Science Foundation, other Federal agencies, and the States in
order to develop, refine, test, and transfer advanced
computer-integrated electronically-networked manufacturing
technologies and associated applications.
(b) ELEMENTS OF PROJECT.--The Project shall include but
not be limited to--
(1) an advanced manufacturing research and
development activity at the Institute;
(2) one or more technology development testbeds
within the United States, selected through the Advanced
Technology Program established under section 28 of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 278n) whose purpose shall be to develop, refine,
test, and transfer advanced manufacturing and networking
technologies and associated applications; and
(3) one or more information dissemination contracts
selected through section 25(d) and (e) of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
278k(d) and (e)) for the purpose of providing
information and technical assistance regarding advanced
manufacturing and networking technologies to small- and
medium-sized manufacturers.
(c) ACTIVITIES.--The Project shall, under the
coordination of the Director of the Institute, include--
(1) testing and, as appropriate, developing the
equipment, computer software, and systems integration
necessary for the successful operation within the United
States of advanced manufacturing systems and associated
electronic networks;
(2) establishing at the Institute and the
technology development testbed or testbeds--
(A) prototype advanced computer-integrated
manufacturing systems; and
(B) prototype electronic networks linking the
manufacturing systems;
(3) assisting industry to implement voluntary
consensus standards relevant to advanced
computer-integrated manufacturing operations, including
standards for integrated services digital networks,
electronic data interchange, and digital product data
specifications;
(4) helping to make high-performance computing and
networking technologies an integral part of design,
production, sales, distribution, and service of
products;
(5) conducting research to identify and overcome
technical barriers to the successful and cost-effective
operation of advanced manufacturing systems and
onetworks;
(6) facilitating industry efforts to develop and
test new applications for manufacturing systems and
networks;
(7) involving, to the maximum extent practicable,
both those United States companies which make
manufacturing and computer equipment and those United
States companies which buy the equipment, with
particular emphases on including a broad range of
company personnel in the Project and on assisting small-
and-medium-sized manufacturers;
(8) training, as appropriate, company managers,
engineers, and employees in the operation and
applications of advanced manufacturing technologies and
networks, with a particular emphasis on training
production workers in the effective use of new
technologies and thereby expanding the skill base of the
workforce and increasing production flexibility and
adaptability;
(9) working with private industry to develop
standards for the use of advanced computer-based
training systems, including multimedia and interactive
learning technologies; and
(10) exchanging information and personnel, as
appropriate, between the technology development testbeds
and the Regional Centers for the Transfer of
Manufacturing Technology created under section 25 of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 278k).
(d) SUPPORT FROM OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES.--The Director of the Institute may request and
accept funds, facilities, equipment, or personnel from other
Federal departments and agencies in order to carry out
responsibilities under this section.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology for the purposes of this section,
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, $40,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $60,000,000 for
fiscal year 1996, and $70,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 6. APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE.
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES BY NATIONAL INSTITUTES
OF HEALTH.--In accordance with the Plan developed under
section 701 of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et
seq.), as added by section 3 of this Act, the National
Institutes of Health, and particularly the National Library
of Medicine, in cooperation with the National Science
Foundation and other appropriate agencies, shall develop
technologies for applications of high-performance computing
and high-speed networking in the health care sector. Such
applications shall include but not be limited to the
following:
(1) Testbed networks for linking hospitals,
clinics, doctor's offices, medical schools, medical
libraries, and universities to enable health care
providers and researchers to share medical data and
imagery.
(2) Software and visualization technology for
visualizing the human anatomy and analyzing imagery from
X-rays, CAT scans, PET scans, and other diagnostic
tools.
(3) Virtual reality technology for simulating
operations and other medical procedures.
(4) Collaborative technology to allow several
health care providers in remote locations to provide
real-time treatment to patients.
(5) Database technology to provide health care
providers with access to relevant medical information
and literature.
(6) Database technology for storing, accessing, and
transmitting patients' medical records while protecting
the accuracy and privacy of those records.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Library of
Medicine for the purposes of this section, $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 1993, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1994,
$60,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $80,000,000 for fiscal year
1996, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 7. APPLICATIONS FOR LIBRARIES.
(a) DIGITAL LIBRARIES.--In accordance with the Plan
developed under section 701 of the National Science and
Technology Policy, Organization and Priorities Act of 1976
(42 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.), as added by section 3 of this Act,
the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency, and other appropriate agencies shall develop
technologies for "digital libraries" of electronic
information. Development of digital libraries shall include
the following:
(1) Development of advanced data storage systems
capable of storing hundreds of trillions of bits of data
and giving thousands of users nearly instantaneous
access to that information.
(2) Development of high-speed, highly accurate
systems for converting printed text, page images,
graphics, and photographic images into electronic form.
(3) Development of database software capable of
quickly searching, filtering, and summarizing large
volumes of text, imagery, data, and sound.
(4) Encouragement of development and adoption of
standards for electronic data.
(5) Development of computer technology to
categorize and organize electronic information in a
variety of formats.
(6) Training of database users and librarians in
the use of and development of electronic databases.
(7) Development of technology for simplifying the
utilization of networked databases distributed around
the Nation and around the world.
(8) Development of visualization technology for
quickly browsing large volumes of imagery.
(b) DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPES.--The National Science
Foundation, working with the supercomputer centers it
supports, shall develop prototype digital libraries of
scientific data available over the Internet and the National
Research and Education Network.
(c) DEVELOPMENT OF DATABASES OF REMOTE-SENSING
IMAGES.--The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall develop databases of software and remote-sensing images
to be made available over computer networks like the
Internet.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--(1) There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation for the purposes of this section, $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 1993, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1994,
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $40,000,000 for fiscal year
1996, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the
purposes of this section, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1993,
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $30,000,000 for fiscal year
1995, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and $50,000,000 for
fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 8. ACCESS TO SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION.
(a) ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS.--Section 203 of the National
Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities
Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6612) is amended--
(1) by striking "four" in the second sentence and
inserting in lieu thereof "five"; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
sentence: "Among other duties, one Associate Director
shall oversee Federal efforts to disseminate scientific
and technical information.".
(b) FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTOR.--Section 204(b) of the
National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6613(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking "and" at the end of paragraph (3);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(4) and inserting in lieu thereof "; and"; and
(3) by inserting immediately after paragraph (4)
the following new paragraph:
"(5) assist the President in disseminating
scientific and technical information.".
