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<NIC.MERIT.EDU> /nren/iita.1992/gorebill.1992.txt 1 July 1992 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.".