InfoMagic Standards 1993 July

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ InfoMagic Standards 1993 July / Disc.iso / inet / nren / hpca / gore89.txt < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1989-08-22 | 32.7 KB | 596 lines

<NIS.NSF.NET> [NSFNET] GOREBILL.TXT NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY ACT (GORE BILL) By Mr. GORE (for himself, Mr. Jeffords, and Mr. Durenberger): S. 1067. A bill to provide for a coordinated Federal research program to ensure continued United States leadership in high-performance computing: to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY ACT Mr. GORE. Mr.President, I am today introducing the National High- Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989 to respond to major economic and technological challenge- the battle to ensure the United States' leadership in advanced computing and computer networking. High-performance computing is the most powerful tool available to those who, in an increasing number of fields, are operating at the frontiers of imagination and intellect. The nation which most completely assimilates high-performance computing into its economy will very likely emerge as the dominant intellectual, economic, and technological force in the next century. High-performance computers will enable us to build more efficient engines and appliances, forecast the weather more accurately and further in advance, test new kinds of molecules with miraculous medical potential, and design better machine tools. Even now we can use computers to design better computer chips. But high-performance computers will never be able to do all these things in the future unless we increase access through high-speed networks right away and develop the information infrastructure to realize the potential of these electronic technologies. The real benefits of computing come from sharing scientific ideas and putting new products on the market. In the last Congress, I chaired the first Senate hearing on the state of supercomputer technology and policy. The message I heard at that hearing was overwhelmingly clear: If the United States if going to be a supercomputer superpower in the in the 1990s, we had better start building a high-capacity national research and education network today. Toward that end, I am introducing the National High-Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989 and will hold a series of hearings beginning this June on high-performance computing and computer networks. Three years ago, on the 30th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System, I sponsored the Supercomputer Network Study Act to explore a fiber optic network to link the Nation's supercomputer into one system. High-capacity fiber optic networks will be the information superhighways of tomorrow. A national network with associated supercomputers and data bases will link academic researchers and industry in a national collaboratory. This information infrastructure will cluster research centers and businesses around network interchanges, using the Nation's vast data banks as the building blocks for increasing industrial productivity, creating new products, and improving access to the same national resources-data bases, supercomputers, accelerators-as more affluent and better known institutions. Can we rely on the market system to provide this kind of infrastructure? We certainly couldn't where the Interstate Highway System was con concerned, although private industry ultimately benefited a great deal from the Government's leadership and investment. I believe that the Federal Government must again be a catalyst, to get companies interested in those information networks and show them that there is a market out there. Clearly, the technological spinoffs and productivity gains would be enormous, from a network that would cost the Government less than one Stealth bomber. The National High-Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989 builds on legislation I introduced last year and the 1987 Office of Science and Technology report on high-performance computing, and it takes the first critical steps to chart the Federal Government's course in maintaining U.S. leadership in high-performance computing. Last year's bill was designed to intensify the Government's engagement in developing computer technology and networks. Today's legislation is an upgraded version, based on hearings and on intensive consultations with industry leaders, Government officials, and educators in the intervening period. Furthermore, my proposed legislation recognizes that it is vital to respect the existing private networks, which, although of lower capacity than needed, can and must play a critical and ever- increasing role as the new high-volume network matures. This legislation promotes high-performance computing in several ways: By putting in place a three gigabit per second national research and education computer network by 1996; By creating an information infrastructure of data bases and knowledge banks, including a National Digital Library; By emphasizing the development of artificial intelligence projects like neural networks; By investing in basic research and education; By stimulating the development of hardware; By enhancing the development and distribution of software; By requiring the administration to develop a 5-year interagency implementation plan; By establishing advisory committees to include the views of educators and industry. This bill would also authorize $1.75 billion over 5 years, fiscal years 1990 through 1994, to carry out the purposes of the act. The investment is tiny and the payback enormous, even more so in light of how those Federal funds would be leveraged. I am deeply concerned about the Federal budget deficit. But the only long-term deficit solution is to get away from short-term thinking, look to the future, and invest in the people, technologies, and equipment that will ensure our standard of living and increase productivity. We must find the funds to invest in high-priority projects like computer network development that will pay for themselves many times over. Soon, virtually all human knowledge will be translatable into a common digital code that can be acted upon by electronic processing systems based upon computers, which, in their countless mutations. will be electronically linked. Already, we have crossed the threshold of the information age. Electronics are to our age what coal and iron were to the Industrial Revolution. However, unlike coal and iron, which are parts of the natural endowment of nations, electronics are an endowment which can be created wherever there is sufficient talent and determination. That is the lesson our competitors have taught us. Our competitors understand the importance of developing computer networks and advanced computing. In France, for example, the Minitel network of small home computer terminals has become a national obsession. West Germany appears to be well developed in networking. In Japan, the organization that targets key technologies came up with a list of ten top priority projects that includes a 10 billion bit per second fiber optic network. Unless we learn from them and act in time to nurture our own resources, the information age will be theirs, not ours, to lead. American technological supremacy, which we had thought of as a kind of national attribute, will pass. And so will its rewards. High-performance computing is a fulcrum. Government action applied here can powerfully influence the outcome of the overall struggle. I look forward to your consideration of this legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of my bill be printed in the Record. S. 1067 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assemble, SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "National High- Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989". Sec. 2. (a) Congress finds and declares the following: (1) Advances in computer science and technology are vital to the Nation's prosperity, national security, and scientific advancement. (2) The United States currently leads the worked in development and use of high-performance computer technology for national security, industrial productivity, and science and engineering, but that lead is being challenged by foreign competitors. (3) Further research and improved computer research networks are necessary to maintain United States leadership in the field of high performance computing. (b) It is the purpose of Congress in this Act to ensure the continued leadership of the United States in high-performance computer technology. This requires that the United States Government- (1) expand Federal support for research development, and application of high-performance computing technology in order to- (A) establish a high-capacity national research and education computer network: (B) develop an information infrastructure of data bases, services, and knowledge banks which is available for access over such a national network: (C) promote the more rapid development and wider distribution of computer software; (D) stimulate research on artificial intelligence; (E) accelerate the development of computer systems; and (F) invest in basic research and education: and (2) improve planning and coordination of Federal research and development on high-performance computing. TITLE I-NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAN Sec. 101. The National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et aeq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title: TITLE VI- NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM "FINDINGS "Sec. 601. (a) Congress finds and declares the following: "(1) In order to strengthen America's computer industry and to assist the entire manufacturing sector, the Federal Government must provide leadership in the development and application of high- performance computer technology. In particular, the Federal Government should support the development of high-capacity national research and education network; facilitate the development of software for research, education and industrial applications; continue to fund basic research,; and provide for the training of computer scientists and computational scientists. "(2) Several Federal agencies have ongoing high performance computer technology programs. Improved interagency coordination, cooperation and planning could enhance the effectiveness of these programs. "(3) A recent rep by the Office of Science and Technology Policy outlining a research and development strategy for high performance computing provides a framework for a multi-agency computer technology program. "NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPLETED TECHNOLOGY PLAN" "Sec. 602 (a)(1) The President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (hereafter in this title referred to as the "Council") shall develop and implement a National High-Performance Computer Technology Plan (hereafter in this title referred to as the 'Plan') in accordance with the provisions, findings, and purposes of this Act. Consistent with the responsibilities set forth under subsection (c) of this action, the Plan shall contain recommendations for a 5 year national effort to be submitted to Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this title and be revised at least once every two years thereafter. "(2) The Plan shall-- "(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-performance computer technology program for the fiscal year in which the Plan (or revised Plan) is submitted and the succeeding 4 fiscal years; "(B) set forth the role of each Federal agency and department in implementing the Plan; "(C) describe the levels of Federal funding and specific activities, including education, research activities, hardware and software development, and acquisition and operating expenses for computers and computer networks, required to achieve such goals and priorities; and "(D) consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National Research Council, and other entities. "(3) The Plan shall address, where appropriate, the relevant programs and activities of the following Federal agencies and departments-- "(A) The National Science Foundation; "(B) the Department of Commerce, particularly the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; "(C) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; "(D) the Department of Defense, particularly the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Naval Research, and as appropriate, the National Security Agency; "(E) the Department of Energy; "(F) the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly the National Institutes of Health; and "(G) such other agencies and departments as the President or the Chairman of the Council considers appropriate. "(b) the Council shall-- "(1) serve as lead entity responsible for development and implementation of the Plan; "(2) coordinate the high-performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies and departments and report at least annually to the President, through the Chairman of the Council, and on any recommended changes in agency or departmental roles that are needed to better implement the Plan; "(3) prior to the President's submission to Congress of the annual budget estimate, review each agency and departmental budget estimate in the context of the Plan and make the results of that review available to each agency and department and to the appropriate elements of the Executive Office of the President, particularly the Office of Management and Budget; "(4) work with Federal agencies, with the National Research Council and with academic, State, and other groups conducting research on high-performance computing; and "(5) consult with actual and potential users of such research by establishing an advisory board which stall include representation from universities and industry. "(e)(1) The Plan shall take consideration but not be limited to, the following missions and responsibilities of agencies and departments: "(A) The National Science Foundation shall continue to be responsible for basic research in all areas of computer science, materials science, and computational science. The Foundation shall continue to solicit grant proposals and award grants by merit review for research in universities, non-profit research institutions, and industry. The National Science Foundation shall also be responsible for providing researchers with access to supercomputers and providing for the establishment by 1996 of a 3 gigabit per second national computer network, as required by section 201 of the National High-performance Computer Technology Act of 1989. Additional responsibilities include development of an information infrastructure of services, data bases, and knowledge banks connected to such computer network; facilitators of the validation of software and distribution of that software over such computer network; and promotion of science and engineering education. "(B) The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall be responsible for ensuring interoperability between computer networks run by different agencies of the Federal Government and for establishing in conjunction with industry, benchmark tests and standards for high-performance computers and software. Pursuant to the Computer security Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-235;100 Stat 1724) the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall continue to be responsible for developing standards and guidelines for Federal computer systems, including standards and guidelines needed to assure the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive information and Federal computer systems. "(C) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall continue to observe, collect, communicate, analyze, process, provide, and disseminate data about the Earth, its oceans, atmosphere and space environment. It shall improve the quality and accessibility of the environmental data stored at the four NOAA data centers. In addition, NOAA shall perform research and develop technology to support its data handling role. "(D) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to conduct basic and applied research in high-performance computing, particularly in the field of computational science, with emphasis on aeronautical applications and remove sensing data processing. "(E) The Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; the Office of Naval Research, and other agencies, shall continue to conduct basic and applied research in high-performance computing, particularly in computer networking, semiconductor technology, and large-scale parallel processors. Pursuant to the Stevenson Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq), the Department shall ensure that unclassified computer technology research is readily available to American Industry. The National Security Agency, pursuant to the Security Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-235; 100 Stat. 1724), shall continue to provide, where appropriate, technical advice and assistance to the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the development of standards and guidelines needed to assure the cost effective security and privacy of sensitive information in Federal computer systems. "(F) The Department of Energy and its national laboratories shall conduct basic and applied research in high performance computing, particularly in software development and multi-processor supercomputers. Pursuant to the Stevenson Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (1B U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) and other appropriate statues, the Department of Energy shall ensure that unclassified computer technology research is readily available to American industry. "(2) The Plan shall facilitate collaboration among agencies run by the agencies and debatements. "(B) increasing software productivity, capability, and reliability; "(C) promoting interoperability of software; (D) distributing software among the agencies and departments; and "(E) distributing federally-funded, unclassified software to industry and universities. "(d)(1) Each Federal agency and department involved in high- performance computing shall, as part of its annual request for appropriations to the Office of Management and Budget, submit a report 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 agency or departments annual budget estimate that is allocated to each element of such agency or department's annual budget estimate that is allocated to each element of such agency or department's high-performance computing activities. The Office of Management and Budget shall ensure that a copy of the President's annual budget estimate is transmitted to the Chairman of the Council at the same time as such budget estimate is submitted to Congress. "Annual Report" "Sec. 603 The Chairman of the Council shall prepare and submit to the President and Congress, not later than March 1 of each year, an annual report on the activities conducted pursuant to this title during the preceding year, including-- "(1) a summary of achievements of Federal high-performance computing research and development efforts during that preceding fiscal year. "(2) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Plan; "(3) a copy or summary of the Plan and any changes made in such Plan: "(4) a summary of agency budgets for high-performance computing activities for that preceding fiscal year and "(5) any recommendations regarding additional action or legislation which may be required to assist in achieving the purposes of this title". TITLE II - NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK Sec. 201 (1) The National Science Foundation shall, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other appropriate agencies, provide for the establishment of a national 3--gigabit per second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, which shall- (1) link government, industry, and the higher education community; (2) be developed in close cooperation with the computer and telecommunications industry; (3) be designed and developed with the advice of potential users in government. Industry, and the higher education community; (4) have accounting mechanisms which allow users or groups of users to be charged for their usage of the network, where appropriate; and (5) be phased out when commercial networks can meet the networking needs of American researchers, Sec. 202. In addition to other agency activities associated with the establishment of the National Research and Education Network, the following actions shall be taken: (1) The Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology shall- (A) establish a National Network Advisory Committee to provide technical and policy advice from all the interests involved in the Network program, including (i) researchers from university, industry, and Federal laboratories who will use the Network; (ii) university and college educators; (iii) librarians involved in electronic data storage and retrieval; (iv) industrial organizations that develop and provide relevant technology and services; (v) managers of regional computer networks; and (vi) experts in networking and computer science who can provide technical guidance; (B) submit to Congress, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, a report describing and evaluating effective mechanisms for providing operating funds for the long-term maintenance and use of the Network, including user fees, industry support, and continued Federal investment; and (C) allow recipients of Federal research grants to use grant monies to pay for computer networking and other telecommunications expenses. (2) The Department of Defense, through the Defense Advances Research Projects Agency, shall be responsible for research and development of advance fiber optics technology, switches, and protocols needed to develop a gigabit computer network essential for the Network. (3) The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall develop, in cooperation with the National Security Agency and other relevant agencies, a common act of standards to provide interoperability, common user interfaces to systems, and enhanced security for the Network. (5) The National Telecommunications and Information Administration shall determine to what extent current Federal telecommunications laws and regulations hinder or facilitate private industry participation in the data transmission field. Within a year after the dat of enactment of this Act, the Administration shall report such determination to the Congress. Sec. 203. In addition to such sums as may be authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation by other law, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the research, development, and implementation of the National research and Education Network, in accordance with the purposes of this title, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $100,000,000 for fiscal years 1992, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1994. TITLE III-NATIONAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE Sec. 301. The National Science Foundation shall coordinate, in close cooperation with the Department of Commerce ( in particular the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Bureau of the Census), the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other relevant agencies, the development of a national science and technology information infrastructure of data bases and knowledge banks accessible through the National Research and Education Network referred to in title II of this Act. The infrastructure shall include, but not be limited to- (1) a directory of network users; (2) provision for access to unclassified Federal scientific data bases, including weather data, census data, economic data, and remote sensing satellite data; (3) rapid prototyping of computer chips and other devices using centralized facilities connected to the network; (4) data bases and knowledge banks for use by artificial intelligence programs; and (5) provision for international collaboration among researchers. TITLE IV-SOFTWARE Sec. 401. (a) The Office of Science and Technology Policy, as indicated in the National High-Performance Computer Technology Plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan") developed and implemented under title VI of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976, as added by section 101 of this Act, shall oversee the cooperative efforts of Federal departments and agencies in the research and development of high- performance computer software, including projects focussed on astrophysics, engineering, materials, biochemistry, plasma physics, and weather and climate forecasting. (b) The National Science Foundation shall establish clearinghouses to validate and distribute unclassified software developed by federally- funded researchers and other software in the public domain, including federally-funded educational and training software. Such clearinghouses shall- (1) maintain libraries of programs; (2) provide funding to researchers to improve and maintain software they have developed; (3) help researchers locate the software they need; (4) make software available through the National Research and Education network: and (5) promote commercialization of software where possible. (c)(1) The National Science Foundation shall place special emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence and shall establish joint research programs among government, industry, and the higher education community to develop artificial intelligence applications. (2) for purposes of this section, the term "artificial intelligence" means software and hardware which can be used for computer systems that learn, exhibit knowledge of themselves and their environment, make logical inferences, display creativity, or mimic other aspects of human intelligence, and such term includes expert systems, neural networks, natural language processing programs, translation programs, and higher-level programming languages. (d) The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall develop standards for software programs purchases or developed by the Federal Government that promote development of interoperable software systems that can be used on different computer systems with different operating systems. (c) Procurement regulations at the Defense Department and other departments or agencies shall be changed so that contractors providing software to the Federal Government no longer are required to forfeit the proprietary software development tools that they used to develop the software. Sec. 402. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Science and Technology Policy for distribution to the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other relevant agencies for computer software research and development, in accordance with the purposes of this title, $50,000,000 for the fiscal year 1990, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, and $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1994. TITLE V-COMPUTER SYSTEMS Sec. 501. The National Science Foundation shall ensure that the national supercomputer centers in the United States continue to have the most advanced, commercially available supercomputers produced by United States manufactures. Sec. 502. Where appropriate, Federal agencies shall procure prototype or early production models of new high-performance computer systems and sub-systems to stimulate hardware and software development in the American high-performance computer Industry. Particular emphasis shall be given to prompting development of advanced display technology, alternative computer architectures, advanced peripheral storage devices, and very high- speed communication links. Sec. 503. Within 90 days following the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall review export controls that hinder the development of foreign markets for United States manufacturers of supercomputers and other high-performance computer technology, and report to the Congress the results of such review. Sec. 504. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, for distribution to appropriate agencies and departments as specified in the Plan, for research in computational science and engineering, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $90,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1994. TITLE VI-BASIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION Sec. 601. The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall, in cooperation with relevant departments and agencies- (1) support basic research on computer technologies, including research on computer technology, including research on advanced semiconductor chip designs, new materials for chips, improved chip fabrication techniques, photonics and superconducting computers; (2) create technology transfer mechanisms to ensure that the results of basic research are readily available to United States industry; (3) promote basic research in computer science, computational science, electrical engineering, and material science; and (4) educate and train more researchers in computer science and computational science. Sec. 602. To expand its traditional role in supporting basic research in universities and colleges, and in training scientists and engineers in computer science, computational science, and electrical engineering, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1900, $20.000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1903, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1994.