|
|
|
|
For Immediate Release
06/13/07
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
|
|
|
|
|
The Hill Op-Ed -- Improving public safety communications is matter of life and death in emergencies
|
|
Great progress has been made during the last two years regarding the advancement of public safety’s communication needs. One key legislative initiative was the digital television transition legislation that established a date certain when 24 MHz of prime spectrum will be put into the hands of first responders. The legislation also requires that 60 MHz of prime spectrum be auctioned and directs that a significant portion of the proceeds be used for important public safety needs — including $1 billion for public safety grants to improve communications interoperability. The scheduled spectrum auction will also fund an updated warning and alert system that utilizes mobile phones and other devices to improve 911 calling, and even deliver tsunami warnings.
These important issues remain a top priority during the 110th Congress and recent legislation (S.4) passed by the Senate contains provisions to accelerate the improvement of the nation’s 911 system and provide guidance for the $1 billion in interoperability grants. The bill ensures that interoperability in every state will be improved, but more work remains to be done.
While Congress has made great strides in improving communications for public safety, one area that still needs improvement is the 911 system. Currently 50 percent of the counties in the United States cannot locate 911 calls from mobile phones, and there are accuracy concerns where the location service is available. Some of these problems are related to funding. Congress has taken an important first step in allocating more than $43 million to a grant program to improve the nation’s 911 system. States will need to do their part to ensure that user fees charged to mobile phone consumers for 911 are not diverted into other programs when 911 service is not available statewide.
Both federal and state officials will need to work together to encourage the use of new lifesaving capabilities. Internet Protocol-based technologies will allow vital information to be transmitted via 911. The latest technologies can allow cars to automatically dial 911 when airbags are deployed and tell emergency response officials the speed of the crash and the number of passengers in the car. However, these capabilities will not become a reality if public safety officials cannot upgrade their 911 call answering facilities. The ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 passed in the 108th Congress, took significant steps to establish a national office to coordinate 911 planning and buildout. This essential law is set to expire on Oct. 1, 2009, and similar to the interoperability context, national direction and funds are needed to continue the 911 system improvements. As Congress examines reauthorizing this critical legislation, it must ensure the latest capabilities and Internet Protocol technologies are included in the 911 system. Additionally, steps should be taken to ensure that when a major event, like a hurricane, earthquake or other disaster disables a 911 calling center, calls can be rerouted to another 911 call center.
I look forward to working with Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), our colleagues on the Senate Commerce Committee and the members of the 911 Caucus to ensure that these critical concerns are addressed. Communications technologies have improved our lives in many ways, and working together, Congress can ensure that they continue to save lives as well.
Stevens is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22nd - |
Vice Admiral Lautenbacher to Testify at NOAA Budget and Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee announced today that Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will testify at the Oversight Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmo...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20th - |
Inouye, Stevens, and Dorgan Introduce Travel Promotion Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Committee Vice Chairman Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to cosponsor the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, introduced by Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.). The measure would create an independent body to manage and coordinate a nationwide travel promotions campaign, ...
|
|
|
20th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces June 27 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Executive Session for Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items:
1. S. 950, Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2007
2. S....
|
|
|
|
|
19th - |
Witnesses Announced for Hearing on Energy Efficiency Technologies
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee released today a witness list for the Energy Efficiency Technologies and Programs hearing. The witnesses are listed below.
Witnesses will discuss currently available technologies, and both state-sponsored and corporate programs that reduce total energy use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Efficiency ...
|
|
|
19th - |
Commerce Committee Releases Witness List for Caller ID Spoofing Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today the witness list for the full Committee hearing on Caller ID Spoofing. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine legislation introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007. The Act seeks to protect consumers from deceptive practices invol...
|
|
|
18th - |
Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Foreign Repair Stations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee released today a witnesses list for the hearing on Oversight of Foreign Aviation Repair Stations.
The Subcommittee will examine the growing aviation industry practice of outsourcing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for and provides oversight...
|
|
|
18th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces Caller ID Spoofing, Media Violence Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces two full Committee communications hearings on Caller ID Spoofing and Number Porting and the Impact of Media Violence on Children.
The Caller ID Spoofing and Number Porting hearing will focus on legislation introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007. The Act...
|
|
|
13th - |
Inouye Introduces by Request Administration’s Offshore Aquaculture Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) introduced today, by request of the Administration, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act. Chairman Inouye simultaneously introduced three amendments, and cosponsored a fourth amendment introduced by Vice Chairman Stevens, that bolster environmental safeguards and protect nativ...
|
|
|
13th - |
current Press Release |
|
|
12th - |
Lautenberg Introduces Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Chairman Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) to introduce today the Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act of 2007, which would improve the safety and security for shipping facilities and vessels handling hazardous materials.
&ldqu...
|
|
|
12th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Hold Oversight Hearing on Foreign Repair Stations
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on the Oversight of Foreign Aviation Repair Stations.
The Subcommittee will examine the growing aviation industry practice of outsourcing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is r...
|
|
|
12th - |
Oceans Subcommittee to Hold NOAA Budget and Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency within the Department of Commerce, provides vital s...
|
|
|
12th - |
Innovation Subcommittee to Explore Energy Technology Programs
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Energy Efficiency Technologies and Programs.
Members of the Subcommittee will consider currently available technologies, and both state-sponsored and corporate programs that reduce total energy use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions....
|
|
|
|
|
11th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on 700 MHz Auction
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released today a witness list for the full committee hearing on The 700 MHz Auction: Public Safety and Competition Issues.
Scheduled for Thursday, June, 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, the hearing will examine a variety of issues related to the auction of spectrum at the...
|
|
|
8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces USF Hearing Witness List
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released today a witness list for the full committee hearing on The Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board.
Scheduled for Tuesday, June, 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, the hearing will examine the Federal-State Joint Boar...
|
|
|
7th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Works to Protect Nation’s Oceans, Coastline
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2007, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and several other members of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation joined to introduce a group of bills today that provides for sustainable use and protection of our nation’s ocean and coastal areas. The bills include:
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amend...
|
|
|
7th - |
Inouye and Stevens Sponsor Oceans Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced several oceans bills that would strengthen hydrographic surveys, improve management of invasive species in ballast water, and protect coral reefs. Today marks the last day of the 2007 Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
“...
|
|
|
|
|
6th - |
NASA IG Investigation Oversight Hearing Witnesses List Revised
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences and the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight revised the witness list for the Joint Hearing on the Oversight Review of the Investigation of the NASA Inspector General scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 2:00...
|
|
|
4th - |
Inouye: Disappointed with Second Circuit Decision
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decision overruling the Federal Communications Commission policy of prohibiting the use of expletives on broadcast television.
"It is disappointing that a divided Second Circuit panel chose to invalidate the...
|
|
|
4th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Schedules USF, 700 MHz Action Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces two Full Committee communications hearings - Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board and The 700 MHz Auction: Public Safety and Competition Issues.
The Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board hearing is sc...
|
|
|
4th - |
Commerce Committee Postpones U.S. Trade Relations with China Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed the Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on U.S. Trade Relations with China originally scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2007, at 2:30 p.m.
A rescheduled date and time will be forthcoming.
###
|
|
Audio Clip | Video Clip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|