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For Immediate Release
03/08/07
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Sen. Stevens Speaks on the 911 Modernization Amendment to S.4
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today introduced an amendment to upgrade the 911 system used to reach operators in an emergency to S. 4, the Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The amendment was originally introduced as a stand alone bill sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and co-sponsored by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas).
Senator Stevens: 911 calls provide the first line of defense in the safety of our citizens and is critical for our public safety personnel.
Technological advances now allow 911 calls to provide more information, such as the caller’s location and telephone number.
However, in too many parts of the country, the public safety community doesn’t have the technology needed to receive location or other information.
They need funding to help to upgrade their equipment.
This amendment would add the 911 Modernization Act, S. 93, which passed unanimously out of the Commerce Committee several weeks ago.
This would allow the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to borrow funds ($43.5 million) from the treasury to fund the Enhance 911 Act grant program now in advance of the spectrum auction.
Because the money is only advanced, the Congressional Budget Office has said that this amendment does not score.
The National Emergency Number Association that focuses on 911 recently announced that 80% of the country is capable of E911 capability. But that 20% of the country that cannot is rural America and it covers 50% of the counties in America.
There is a matching requirement, to ensure that the money is spent wisely by public safety entities that are committed to improving the 911 calling capability of their citizens.
The amendment has the support of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers International and the National Emergency Numbering Association and I submit this letter from these two premier 911 public safety organizations into the record.
With this borrowing authority, NTIA could get the money out to public safety community now. The funds will be replaced, and enhanced 911 calls can begin saving lives in more of rural America.
This is absolutely essential, 50 percent of our nations counties do not have the ability to move forward. Borrowing the money now from the auction of the spectrum is the best way to proceed.
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22nd - |
Commerce Committee to Host Clean Coal Technology Hearing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee Hearing on Clean Coal Technology for Thursday, April 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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19th - |
Jessica Rosenworcel Joins Senate Commerce Committee
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jessica Rosenworcel joined today the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation as a senior legal counsel working on communications and media issues.
Rosenworcel most recently served as senior legal advisor at the Federal Communications Commission to Commissioner Michael Copps, where she worked on media and broadcast issues. Previously, she served as c...
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13th - |
Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus Releases Legislative Agenda for the 110th Congress
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
– Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Representative Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), and Representative John Shimkus (R-Ill.), the co-chairs of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus, have released a legislative agenda for the 110th Congress.
The agenda includes ambitious efforts to provide federal funding for public safety access points (PSAPs), ensurin...
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13th - |
Commerce Announces Four Hearings: CPSC Oversight, FAA Modernization, Sports Programming, FTC Oversight
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following hearings:
Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security...
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12th - |
Promoting Travel to America, Coast Guard Dive Program Upcoming Commerce Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following subcommittee hearings:
Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on Promoting Travel to America: An Examination of Economic and Safety Concerns, Part II for Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, and
Oceans, ...
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8th - |
current Press Release |
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6th - |
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Statement on CAFE
- The Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program, or CAFE, has proven to be an effective tool to decrease the consumption of fuel in the passenger fleet. The National Academy of Sciences found in its 2002 CAFE study that the CAFE program has significantly contributed to increased fuel economy of the nation’s passenger fleet since its inception in 1975. From the time CAFE was implemen...
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5th - |
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Statement on the Introduction of the America COMPETES Act
- Innovation and economic competitiveness have emerged as top priorities for this country. A number of reports have detailed the nation’s need to address our investment in education and science. The Augustine Commission’s “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” is often citied as the clarion call to action.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Com...
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2nd - |
Commerce Announces Energy Innovation Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee Hearing on Energy Innovation for Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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