[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1946-H1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FAA RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1997

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 125 and rule 
XXIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 1271.

                              {time}  1539


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 
1271) to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration's research, 
engineering, and development programs for fiscal years 1998 through 
2000, and for other purposes, with Mr. Stearns in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as having 
been read the first time.
  Under the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner] and 
the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Gordon] each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. 
Sensenbrenner].
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. SENSENBRENNER asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1271 authorizes the FAA to 
carry out its research, engineering, and development program for fiscal 
years 1998, 1999, and 2000. The objective of the RE&D program is to 
develop and validate the technology and knowledge required for the FAA 
to ensure the safety, efficiency, and security of our national air 
transportation system. Advances developed through the RE&D program are 
helping transform the FAA into a modern air traffic management system 
capable of meeting the increased aviation demands of the coming 
century.
  I would like to thank the Chair of the Subcommittee on Technology, 
the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella], and the ranking member of 
the subcommittee, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Gordon], for the 
hard work they have done in crafting H.R. 1271. The legislation was 
reported out of the Committee on Science with strong bipartisan 
support.
  Overall, H.R. 1271 authorizes $217 million in fiscal year 1998, $224 
million in fiscal year 1999, and $231 million in fiscal year 2000 for 
the FAA to carry out the critical projects and activities of the FAA 
RE&D program, including research and development in the areas of 
capacity management, navigation, weather, aircraft safety, systems 
security, and human factors.
  While including some increases for critical FAA research activities 
such as weather and computer security, H.R. 1271 does not provide a 
blank check to the FAA. The legislation contains language that 
restricts noncompetitive research grants and prohibits funding of 
lobbying activities.
  Further, as chairman of the House Science Committee, I plan to work 
in a bipartisan fashion with the ranking member, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Brown], and other members of the committee to provide 
responsible FAA oversight that protects our Nation's investment in 
aviation research and development. I have also notified the FAA that 
the Committee on Science intends to take an active role this year in 
the development of the agency's overall strategic plan as required by 
the Results Act.
  At this point, I insert into the Record an exchange of correspondence 
between the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] and myself 
relative to jurisdictional concerns that

[[Page H1947]]

will be addressed in a few minutes by an amendment that the 
subcommittee chair, the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] will 
propose.
  The correspondence referred to follows:
                                         House of Representatives,


                                         Committee on Science,

                                   Washington, DC, April 23, 1997.
     Hon. Bud Shuster,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Bud: On April 16, 1997, the House Committee on Science 
     marked up and reported out H.R. 1271, FAA Research, 
     Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1997.
       Traditionally, provisions in this bill have been 
     incorporated into the FAA Authorization Acts when considered 
     on the House Floor, indicating your substantive interest in 
     the research components of the FAA.
       Because of our Committee's desire to expeditiously consider 
     H.R. 1271, it is my understanding that you will not object to 
     its consideration by the House.
       I acknowledge that H.R. 1271 in no way impacts the 
     traditional jurisdictional lines under which the Committee on 
     Science and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure have operated for years. Under the Rules of 
     the House, the Science Committee only has jurisdiction over 
     civil aviation research and development funded through the 
     Research, Engineering, and Development account. The Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure has jurisdiction over 
     FAA's other functions. Historically, the Transportation and 
     Infrastructure Committee has had exclusive jurisdiction over 
     the Facilities and Equipment account. H.R. 1271 is not 
     intended to change that.
       I appreciate your willingness to work with us to expedite 
     the consideration of H.R. 1271. I look forward to continuing 
     to work with you on these issues.
           Sincerely,
                                      F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.,
     Chairman.
                                                                    ____

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, April 23, 1997.
     Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.,
     Chairman, Committee on Science,
     Rayburn Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Jim: Thank you for your letter of April 23, 1997 
     concerning H.R. 1271, the FAA Research, Engineering, and 
     Development Act of 1997 which your Committee has reported 
     out. This legislation authorizes funding for FAA's R&D 
     programs for fiscal years 1998-2000.
       As you correctly point out, the Transportation and 
     Infrastructure Committee has traditionally taken a great deal 
     of interest in the research components of FAA. This letter is 
     to confirm that because of your willingness to accommodate 
     our concerns about the bill and because of your desire to 
     take the bill to the Floor expeditiously, I have no 
     objections to its consideration. Also, I appreciate your 
     acknowledgment that the bill in no way impacts the 
     traditional jurisdictional lines under which our Committees 
     have operated, especially with regard to the Transportation 
     and Infrastructure Committee's exclusive jurisdiction over 
     the Facilities and Equipment Account.
       Finally, I would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters 
     on this matter be placed in the Record during consideration 
     of the bill on the Floor. Thank you for your cooperation and 
     assistance on this matter.
       With warm personal regards, I am
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bud Shuster,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1271, 
which continues to demonstrate our Nation's commitment to aviation 
research and development. H.R. 1271 will enable our country to continue 
to lead the world in developing and implementing new aviation 
technologies that make aviation more efficient while improving safety.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1271, the FAA Research, 
Engineering, and Development Act of 1997. H.R. 1271 is a product of a 
bipartisan process to strengthen the research and development 
activities of the FAA.
  Chairman Sensenbrenner and Subcommittee Chairman Morella and I are in 
complete agreement that the FAA's R&D programs will be the key to 
increasing the capacity and efficiency of the airspace system while 
ensuring its safety and security.
  H.R. 1271 reverses the downward trend in the FAA's Research, 
Engineering and Development Account, which has declined by 20 percent 
in the last 2 years. The fiscal year 1998 funding levels are at the 
President's request in 6 of the 10 accounts. The remaining four 
accounts are funded at a higher level than the President's request. 
These funding increases also improve research in such areas as noise 
abatement and weather prediction, areas identified by outside advisory 
panels that need increased support.
  Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Morella for her support of my 
proposal establishing a competitive research grants program for 
primarily undergraduate institutions. This program will support 
research relevant to FAA's technology needs and, perhaps more 
importantly, will help develop the technical expertise to address FAA's 
future technological requirements. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
1271.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. LoBiondo].
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I wish to engage in a colloquy with the 
chairman.
  It is my understanding that because H.R. 1271 would authorize $672 
million over the next three fiscal years for the Federal Aviation 
Administration's research, engineering and development programs, some 
of the functions of the FAA technical center in Pomona, NJ, are within 
that authorization.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman is correct. The FAA 
does conduct some of the research projects and activities authorized by 
this legislation at the technical center in New Jersey.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, as the gentleman may be aware, this 
facility, located in the congressional district which I represent, is 
the FAA's premier research and development center. Perhaps the 
gentleman is also aware that this facility has performed and is 
performing cutting-edge research and testing in the areas of advanced 
air traffic control and navigation technology, airport security, fire 
safety technology and runway safety and pavement durability systems.
  Mr. Chairman, I should note for the Record that the Hughes Technical 
Center maintains and operates the only configuration managed lab in the 
world capable of testing new equipment and systems without disrupting 
or compromising the safety of air traffic. In other words, these labs 
allow the FAA to test all equipment and systems in an environment that 
is identical to the actual air traffic control facilities so we know 
how the equipment will work together and otherwise function with 
existing systems before it is fielded.
  This work and capability is largely responsible for the unparalleled 
record of aviation safety in this country.
  For purposes of clarification, Mr. Chairman, I ask the gentleman if 
there is anything in the bill to require consolidation of the functions 
and activities of the Hughes Technical Center with any other Federal 
Aviation Administration facility?
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to 
yield, H.R. 1271 does not include language to require the consolidation 
of any technical centers.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the Committee on 
Science and the staff of the Subcommittee on Technology for the 
opportunity to clarify for the Record the impact of H.R. 1271 on the 
Hughes Technical Center.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Ewing] for purposes of a 
colloquy.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman, I wish to engage in a colloquy with the 
esteemed chairman of the Committee on Science.
  The Center of Excellence for Airport Pavement Research at the 
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana is a unique partnership between 
the University of Illinois, the FAA and the aviation industry. The 
state-of-the-art pavement research that takes place at this center will 
create economical and reliable new pavement design to accommodate all 
aircraft, including heavier next generation aircraft. The improved 
materials and construction methods tested at this facility are of 
crucial importance to the future of the Nation's airport runways and 
facilities.
  Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that the airport technology 
account of H.R. 1271 is authorized at

[[Page H1948]]

$5,458,000, more than double the fiscal year 1997 enacted level of 
$2,654,000. Is this a correct statement?
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. EWING. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Illinois is 
correct. H.R. 1271 fully funds the administration's request for the 
airport technology account at $5,468,000 for fiscal year 1998.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman, would it also be correct to state that there 
is nothing in the airport technology section of the FAA Research, 
Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1997 that would 
preclude the FAA from fully funding the Center of Excellence for 
Airport Pavement Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-
Champaign?
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to 
yield, again, the gentleman is correct.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Brown].
  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from 
Tennessee for yielding me the time.
  I support the provisions of H.R. 1271, the FAA Research, Engineering, 
and Development Authorization Act of 1997. The gentlewoman from 
Maryland [Mrs. Morella], working with the ranking member, the gentleman 
from Tennessee [Mr. Gordon], has developed legislation which 
strengthens the RE&D activity of FAA.
  H.R. 1271 takes steps to reverse the downward trend in FAA's 
research, engineering and development account, which has decreased 20 
percent during the last 2 years. These increases will allow additional 
research in areas which have been identified as needing increased 
support by the National Research Council and other outside advisory 
bodies, including the research just referred to by the previous 
speaker.
  Mr. Chairman, as a result of active bipartisan cooperation on this 
bill, the Committee on Science has developed a strong and effective 
piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella], chair of the 
Subcommittee on Technology.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time, the chairman of the Committee on Science.
  First, I want to compliment the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. 
Sensenbrenner] for the Committee on Science's remarkable accomplishment 
of reporting out all 10 of the civilian science authorizations in such 
a timely and fair manner. Of course our committee's ranking member, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Brown], deserves his share of credit for 
his cooperation in this endeavor.
  As chair of the Subcommittee on Technology, I am certainly pleased to 
support H.R. 1271, the FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Act 
of 1997. It has been a pleasure working on this bill with the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Gordon]. It is indeed 
bipartisan legislation. It authorizes the FAA to conduct research, 
engineering, and development projects and activities over the next 3 
fiscal years to improve the national aviation system by increasing 
efficiency and safety.
  The Federal Aviation Administration has developed a national aviation 
system that universally is recognized as the safest and most 
technologically advanced system in the world. Each day the aviation 
system supports 1.5 million passengers. The agency's research, 
engineering, and development programs have produced many of the 
advances in aviation that have taken us from an era of vacuum tube 
radios and beacon lights to the satellite based communications, 
navigation, and surveillance systems of today.
  H.R. 1271 recognizes the critical role RE&D programs play in the 
FAA's mission to provide safe and efficient air travel by authorizing 
$217 million in fiscal year 1998, $224 million in fiscal year 1999, and 
$231 million in fiscal year 2000 for the programs.
  In fiscal year 1998, the legislation restores funding for the 
capacity and air traffic management account to the fiscal year 1997 
enacted level primarily to safeguard sensitive computer and information 
system data from unauthorized disclosure. The weather account is 
authorized above the request to reflect recommendations by the FAA RE&D 
Advisory Committee and the National Academy of Sciences that the FAA 
assign a higher priority to weather research projects and activities.
  The environment and energy account is authorized above the request to 
bolster research activities helping the FAA to meet its goal of 
reducing aircraft noise, 80 percent, by the year 2000. The innovative 
cooperative research account is authorized above the request to 
establish a new undergraduate research grants program. Finally the 
authorization fully funds the fiscal year 1998 budget request for both 
aircraft safety and security projects and activities.
  Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to offer this legislation which 
demonstrates our continued strong commitment to aviation research and 
development. It was crafted in a bipartisan fashion, is cosponsored by 
the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Technology, the gentleman 
from Tennessee [Mr. Gordon], along with the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Brown], the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Ehlers], the gentleman 
from Virginia [Mr. Davis], and the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-
Lee].
  I encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1271. I 
want to offer my thanks also to the committee staff on both sides of 
the aisle working on this bill, particularly Jim Wilson on the minority 
staff and Michael Quear, and on the majority staff my wholehearted 
thanks to Richard Russell and to Jeff Grove.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As we bring this bill to a conclusion, let me just briefly say thanks 
to the chairman, the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] for her 
sincere effort to bring this bill as well as other bills to the floor 
in a bipartisan manner with good cooperation. I concur with her 
accolades for the staff. Mike Quear particularly, with the minority, 
has done an excellent job for us.
  And let me also say that the Committee on Science now, through no 
fault of its own, was the last committee to organize yet the first 
committee to present all of its authorizing bills to the floor with 
virtual unanimous support. If not unprecedented, it is at least very 
rare, and much congratulations should go to our chairman, the gentleman 
from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner], for the really no nonsense 
bipartisan approach he has taken. It has translated down to the staff, 
to the subcommittee chairs and ranking members as well as the rest of 
the members. I am pleased to be a part of this team. I think it is good 
legislation for the country.
  On a personal note, I get enough fighting during elections. I get 
enough squabbling here on other types of issues. I did not come to 
Washington, I did not run for Congress to squabble about a lot of petty 
issues. I came here to try to work together to get things done for this 
country. I think this committee, with the leadership of the gentleman 
from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner] and the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Brown] really has shown how that can work. I thank them for their 
cooperation. I look forward to continuing this partnership.
  Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his good words. I think it 
shows that, when we confine our arguments to genuine disputes over 
policy, which are fairly narrow on the Committee on Science, rather 
than arguing over procedure or perceived or real unfairness, we can get 
a lot accomplished in a very short period of time. The fact that this 
is the 6th of the 10 authorization bills to come up, all of which have 
been relatively noncontroversial, I think is proof of that.
  The other four bills are of shared jurisdiction with other 
committees, and the Committee on Science will be working with the 
chairs and the leadership of the other committees in order

[[Page H1949]]

to eliminate the jurisdictional problems so that we can complete the 
job as expeditiously as possible.
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Chairman, I commend the chairman of the Science 
Committee, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and its ranking member, Mr. Brown of 
California, as well as the subcommittee chairman, Mrs. Morella, and its 
ranking member, Mr. Gordon, for working together to produce this 
important legislation. The committee has set a good example, not just 
on this bill but also on the other science authorization bills that it 
has recently reported.
  One modest but crucial element of H.R. 1271 is the authorization for 
the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Weather Research 
Program. There are more than 500 weather-related aviation accidents in 
the United States each year, and billions of dollars are lost due to 
weather delays. Although we may never be able to get those figures down 
to zero, we know that the FAA's research efforts are playing a critical 
role in limiting such accidents and losses.
  Weather-related research has indeed been instrumental in improving 
aviation safety and efficiency. This research is designed to protect 
airplane passengers and the rest of the aviation community against 
weather-related hazards such as thunderstorms, in-flight icing, 
turbulence, ceiling and visibility problems, and ground conditions that 
cause de-icing problems.
  While the FAA conducts its weather research in close coordination 
with other agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration [NOAA] and the National Weather Service, much of the 
work is done at federally funded research centers.
  The National Center for Atmospheric Research [NCAR] in Boulder, CO, 
performs substantial research for the FAA. One such item of NCAR 
research allows researchers from NCAR and NOAA to fly research aircraft 
through high winds to study the kind of mountain-area turbulence that 
may have caused the tragic accident near Colorado Springs in 1991.
  FAA funding of NCAR and other research centers has resulted in the 
development of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar, which alerts air 
traffic controllers to dangerous wind shear and microbursts. TDWR is 
operating or scheduled for deployment at some 50 airports around the 
country. This is a technology that will reduce the loss of life and 
property. It is just one example of the value of FAA's funding of 
weather-related research.
  The Aviation Weather Research Program authorized by H.R. 1271 is 
modest when measured by its cost, but it is extraordinarily valuable 
and cost-effective. Perhaps we should expand the program in the near 
future, but in the meantime I commend the Science Committee for 
recognizing the significance of the program in this legislation.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute printed in the bill shall be considered by sections as an 
original bill for the purpose of amendment and, pursuant to the rule, 
each section is considered as having been read.
  During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chair may accord 
priority in recognition to a Member offering an amendment that he has 
printed in the designated place in the Congressional Record. Those 
amendments will be considered as having been read.
  The Clerk will designate section 1.
  The text of section 1 is as follows:
       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 ``FAA Research, Engineering, 
     and Development Authorization Act of 1997''.

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the 
remainder of the bill be printed in the Record and open to amendment at 
any point.
  The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from 
Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the remainder of the committee amendment in the nature of 
a substitute is as follows:

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

       Section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2)(J);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3)(J) 
     and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) for fiscal year 1998, $217,406,000, including--
       ``(A) $75,550,000 for system development and infrastructure 
     projects and activities;
       ``(B) $19,614,000 for capacity and air traffic management 
     technology projects and activities;
       ``(C) $15,132,000 for communications, navigation, and 
     surveillance projects and activities;
       ``(D) $9,982,000 for weather projects and activities;
       ``(E) $5,458,000 for airport technology projects and 
     activities;
       ``(F) $26,625,000 for aircraft safety technology projects 
     and activities;
       ``(G) $49,895,000 for system security technology projects 
     and activities;
       ``(H) $10,737,000 for human factors and aviation medicine 
     projects and activities;
       ``(I) $3,291,000 for environment and energy projects and 
     activities; and
       ``(J) $1,122,000 for innovative/cooperative research 
     projects and activities;
       ``(5) for fiscal year 1999, $224,000,000; and
       ``(6) for fiscal year 2000, $231,000,000.''.

     SEC. 3. BUDGET DESIGNATION FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   ACTIVITIES.

       Section 48102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Designation of Activities.--(1) The amounts 
     appropriated under subsection (a) are for the support of all 
     research and development activities carried out by the 
     Federal Aviation Administration that fall within the 
     categories of basic research, applied research, and 
     development, including the design and development of 
     prototypes, in accordance with the classifications of the 
     Office of Management and Budget Circular A-11 (Budget 
     Formulation/Submission Process).
       ``(2) The President's annual budget request for the Federal 
     Aviation Administration shall include all research and 
     development activities within a single budget category. All 
     of the activities carried out by the Administration within 
     the categories of basic research, applied research, and 
     development, as classified by the Office of Management and 
     Budget Circular A-11, shall be placed in this single budget 
     category.''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL AVIATION RESEARCH PLAN.

       Section 44501(c)(2)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (iii);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(v) highlight the research and development technology 
     transfer activities that promote technology sharing among 
     government, industry, and academia through the Stevenson-
     Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.''.

     SEC. 5. RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM INVOLVING UNDERGRADUATE 
                   STUDENTS.

       (a) Program.--Section 48102 of title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(h) Research Grants Program Involving Undergraduate 
     Students.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal 
     Aviation Administration shall establish a program for 
     awarding grants to researchers at primarily undergraduate 
     institutions who involve undergraduate students in their 
     research on subjects of relevance to the Federal Aviation 
     Administration. Grants may be awarded under this subsection 
     for--
       ``(A) research projects to be carried out at primarily 
     undergraduate institutions; or
       ``(B) research projects that combine research at primarily 
     undergraduate institutions with other research supported by 
     the Federal Aviation Administration.
       ``(2) Notice of criteria.--Within 6 months after the date 
     of the enactment of the FAA Research, Engineering, and 
     Development Authorization Act of 1997, the Administrator of 
     the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and 
     publish in the Federal Register criteria for the submittal of 
     proposals for a grant under this subsection, and for the 
     awarding of such grants.
       ``(3) Principal criteria.--The principal criteria for the 
     awarding of grants under this subsection shall be--
       ``(A) the relevance of the proposed research to technical 
     research needs identified by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration;
       ``(B) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed 
     research; and
       ``(C) the potential for participation by undergraduate 
     students in the proposed research.
       ``(4) Competitive, merit-based evaluation.--Grants shall be 
     awarded under this subsection on the basis of evaluation of 
     proposals through a competitive, merit-based process.''.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 48102(a) of 
     title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     further amended--
       ``(1) by inserting ``, of which $500,000 shall be for 
     carrying out the grant program established under subsection 
     (h)'' after ``projects and activities'' in paragraph (4)(J);
       ``(2) by inserting ``, of which $500,000 shall be for 
     carrying out the grant program established under subsection 
     (h)'' after ``$224,000,000'' in paragraph (5); and
       (3) by inserting ``, of which $500,000 shall be for 
     carrying out the grant program established under subsection 
     (h)'' after ``$231,000,000'' in paragraph (6).

     SEC. 6. LIMITATIONS.

       (a) Prohibition of Lobbying Activities.--None of the funds 
     authorized by the amendments made by this Act shall be 
     available for any activity whose purpose is to influence 
     legislation pending before the Congress, except that this 
     subsection shall not prevent officers or employees of the 
     United States or of its departments or agencies from 
     communicating to Members of Congress on the request of any 
     Member or to Congress, through the proper channels, requests 
     for legislation or appropriations which they deem necessary 
     for the efficient conduct of the public business.
       (b) Limitation on Appropriations.--No sums are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Federal 
     Aviation Administration

[[Page H1950]]

     for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000 for the Federal 
     Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and 
     Development account, unless such sums are specifically 
     authorized to be appropriated by the amendments made by this 
     Act.
       (c) Eligibility for Awards.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration shall exclude from consideration for grant 
     agreements made by that Administration after fiscal year 1997 
     any person who received funds, other than those described in 
     paragraph (2), appropriated for a fiscal year after fiscal 
     year 1997, under a grant agreement from any Federal funding 
     source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, 
     merit-based award process. Any exclusion from consideration 
     pursuant to this subsection shall be effective for a period 
     of 5 years after the person receives such Federal funds.
       (2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the 
     receipt of Federal funds by a person due to the membership of 
     that person in a class specified by law for which assistance 
     is awarded to members of the class according to a formula 
     provided by law.
       (3) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     ``grant agreement'' means a legal instrument whose principal 
     purpose is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to 
     carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation 
     authorized by a law of the United States, and does not 
     include the acquisition (by purchase, lease, or barter) of 
     property or services for the direct benefit or use of the 
     United States Government. Such term does not include a 
     cooperative agreement (as such term is used in section 
     6305 of title 31, United States Code) or a cooperative 
     research and development agreement (as such term is 
     defined in section 12(d)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler 
     Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
     3710a(d)(1))).

     SEC. 7. NOTICE.

       (a) Notice of Reprogramming.--If any funds authorized by 
     the amendments made by this Act are subject to a 
     reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to 
     the Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate, notice of such action shall concurrently be 
     provided to the Committees on Science and Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate.
       (b) Notice of Reorganization.--The Administrator of the 
     Federal Aviation Administration shall provide notice to the 
     Committees on Science, Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
     Appropriations of the Senate, not later than 15 days before 
     any major reorganization of any program, project, or activity 
     of the Federal Aviation Administration for which funds are 
     authorized by this Act.

     SEC. 8. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM.

       With the year 2000 fast approaching, it is the sense of 
     Congress that the Federal Aviation Administration should--
       (1) give high priority to correcting all 2-digit date-
     related problems in its computer systems to ensure that those 
     systems continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and 
     beyond;
       (2) assess immediately the extent of the risk to the 
     operations of the Federal Aviation Administration posed by 
     the problems referred to in paragraph (1), and plan and 
     budget for achieving Year 2000 compliance for all of its 
     mission-critical systems; and
       (3) develop contingency plans for those systems that the 
     Federal Aviation Administration is unable to correct in time.

     SEC. 9. BUY AMERICAN.

       (a) Compliance With Buy American Act.--No funds 
     appropriated pursuant to the amendments made by this Act may 
     be expended by an entity unless the entity agrees that in 
     expending the assistance the entity will comply with sections 
     2 through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a-10c, 
     popularly known as the ``Buy American Act'').
       (b) Sense of Congress.--In the case of any equipment or 
     products that may be authorized to be purchased with 
     financial assistance provided under the amendments made by 
     this Act, it is the sense of Congress that entities receiving 
     such assistance should, in expending the assistance, purchase 
     only American-made equipment and products.
       (c) Notice to Recipients of Assistance.--In providing 
     financial assistance under the amendments made by this Act, 
     the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
     shall provide to each recipient of the assistance a notice 
     describing the statement made in subsection (a) by the 
     Congress.


                   amendment offered by mrs. morella

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment offered by Mrs. Morella: Page 8, line 4, before 
     ``after'' insert ``from the Research, Engineering, and 
     Development account''.

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, my amendment simply clarifies that the 
limitations in section 6 apply only to grants funded through the 
research, engineering and development account.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Mrs. MORELLA. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding 
to me.
  Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the amendment on behalf of the 
committee leadership. Let me say that this amendment was for the sole 
purpose of alleviating the concerns of the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure that our legislation does not infringe upon their 
jurisdiction whatsoever.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Let me just 
quickly concur that the minority has been consulted on this amendment, 
and we also concur with its passage.

                              {time}  1600

  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella].
  The amendment was agreed to:


             amendment offered by ms. jackson-lee of texas

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
       Page 5, line 11, after ``institutions'' insert ``, 
     including primarily undergraduate Historically Black Colleges 
     and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions,''.

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I too would like to add my 
appreciation, first of all, to the chairman of the Committee on Science 
and the ranking member for their cooperative spirit throughout the time 
of both our hearings and markup sessions.
  Let me acknowledge as well the chairperson of this subcommittee, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland, Mrs. Morella, and the ranking member, the 
gentleman from Tennessee, Bart Gordon, for cooperating with me on this 
amendment and assisting my staff.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to also thank the staff members as well.
  I invite my colleagues to join with me in encouraging research by 
undergraduate students at our Nation's historic black colleges and 
universities and Hispanic serving institutions. As many may know, the 
majority of our HBCU's and Hispanic serving institutions are primarily 
undergraduate institutions.
  First of all, this legislation is good legislation and I applaud the 
work of the committee. Particularly in light of Pan Am 103, the ValuJet 
crash in Florida, and TWA 800, safety issues and research issues 
regarding flight safety for our consumers are extremely important. This 
is a good bill.
  This amendment, however, affects section 5 of the bill dealing with 
research grants involving undergraduate students by simply including 
the words ``Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic 
Serving Institutions'' after undergraduate institutions. Section 5 
targets researchers at primarily undergraduate institutions, which most 
of our institutions are.
  I must add that I am pleased to note that under this subsection 
grants are awarded based on the evaluation of proposals through a 
competitive merit-based process. The ranking member, the gentleman from 
Tennessee, Mr. Bart Gordon, was successful in including this overall 
undergraduate section in the bill, and this is a good section.
  This bill authorizes a total of $672 million over 3 years, through 
fiscal year 2000, for the FAA's research, engineering, and development 
program; $217 million for fiscal year 1998, $224 million for fiscal 
year 1999, and $213 million for fiscal year 2000. Section 5 of the bill 
authorizes $500,000 for overall undergraduate student research grants.
  Let me emphasize that this particular amendment, by the CBO estimates 
alone, does not add any cost to this legislation at all.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman's 
interest in this issue and commend her for offering this amendment.
  Although the language in H.R. 1271 in no way restricts the FAA's 
ability to award research grants to historically black colleges and 
universities and Hispanic serving institutions, we will accept her 
amendment to clarify that point that the FAA has the authority to make 
such grants, and I support the amendment.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank 
the chairperson very much.
  Might I just, as I conclude, and before I offer some time to the 
ranking member, say that according to the

[[Page H1951]]

President's Board of Advisers on Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities our minority universities are often an untapped resource 
for research, technological, and analytical competence. Although many 
HBCU's are underfunded in laboratory equipment, HBCU's and Hispanic 
serving institutions have an overwhelming success rate in producing the 
Nation's top minority mathematicians, scientists, and physicians.
  And let me simply say that when we are called by name, we will most 
likely respond. This amendment does that. It does clarify and allows 
for minority universities to recognize their involvement in this 
important area. It also will help, I hope, to increase the numbers of 
applications and, therefore, grants so that we can be, of course, in 
the loop.
  This is a good amendment because it is inclusive and it states to our 
population that we want all people involved in this very important 
research.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in order to amend H.R. 1271--the Federal 
Aviation Administration Research and Engineering, and Development 
programs for fiscal years 1988 through 2000.
  I invite my colleagues to join with me in encouraging research by 
undergraduate students at our Nation's historically black colleges and 
universities and Hispanic serving institutions. As many may know, the 
majority of our HBCU's and Hispanic serving institutions are primarily 
undergraduate institutions.
  This amendment to H.R. 1271, affects section 5 of the bill; research 
grants program involving undergraduate students, by simply including 
the words ``historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic 
serving institutions'' after the ``undergraduate institutions'' 
language of the bill.
  Section 5 targets researchers at primarily undergraduate institutions 
that involve undergraduate students in their research on subjects of 
relevance to the Federal Aviation Administration.
  I must add that I am pleased to note that under this subsection, 
grants are awarded based on the evaluation of proposals through a 
competitive, merit based process. My good colleague, Bart Gordon of 
Tennessee, was successful in including this overall undergraduate 
section in the bill.
  This bill, authorizes a total of $672 million over 3 years, through 
fiscal year 2000, for the FAA's research, engineering, and development 
program; $217 million for fiscal year 1998, $224 for fiscal year 1999, 
and $213 million for fiscal year 2000. Section 5 of the bill authorizes 
$500,000 for the overall undergraduate student research grants.
  There is no doubt that there is an overwhelming need for research 
dollars to be awarded to historically black colleges and universities, 
as well as Hispanic serving institutions. For the FAA, the numbers 
speak for themselves.
  In 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded a total of $15 
million to institutions of higher education for research and 
development activities. Of that total $15 million amount for 1996, only 
$120,000 was awarded to historically black colleges and universities, 
and $130,000 was awarded to Hispanic serving institutions. That is less 
than 1 percent.
  For fiscal year 1997, of the $10 million awarded to institutions of 
higher education, the overall amount awarded to minority institutions 
doubled, but where no less impressive. Of the $10 million, $260,000 was 
awarded to HBCU's and $200,000 was awarded to Hispanic serving 
institutions. This is a sad and telling story on the state of research 
and development within our minority universities and colleges.

  This is why this amendment is necessary. It is a good first step in 
reaching out to minority institutions that can and must compete in the 
research and development arena.
  My amendment serves to unquestionably reflect that undergraduate 
students at minority institutions should aggressively compete for grant 
awards within the FAA. This amendment seeks to promote minority 
university awareness of research opportunities.
  According to the President's board of advisors on historically black 
colleges and universities, our minority universities are often an 
untapped resource for research, technological, and analytical 
competence. Although many HBCU's are underfunded in laboratory 
equipment, HBCU's have an overwhelming success rate in producing the 
Nation's top black mathematicians, scientists, and physicians.
  Mr. Chairman, when you are called by name, you are more likely to 
respond. This amendment does just that. It calls minority universities 
by name in an effort to highlight and bring to the attention of the FAA 
the fact that HBCU's and Hispanic serving institutions are alive and 
well and should be included in the research efforts of the FAA. It aids 
our minority institutions and others in understanding that minority 
universities and undergraduate students should effectively compete for 
research opportunities with the Federal Government.
  Hispanic serving institutions are colleges and universities that 
educate mostly Hispanic students. I am proud to announce that my new 
district, the 18th Congressional District, includes a good portion of 
the heights in Houston, TX. In the heights are people of all racial and 
ethic backgrounds including Hispanics. Many of the residents of the 
heights attend both HBCU's and Hispanic serving institutions as well as 
majority colleges and universities. I am proud to be a representative 
of each.
  Mr. Chairman, while some may correctly state and understand that the 
classification of undergraduate students should include historically 
black colleges and universities as well as Hispanic serving 
institutions, it is important to note that there are some in our 
country who do not appreciate this view. Consequently, our minority 
universities are often overlooked or forgotten.
  My amendment allows undergraduate students at HBCU's and Hispanic 
serving institutions to definitively know that they too can participate 
in research that benefits the FAA and compete for research and 
development dollars that will help build a better America.
  For these reasons, I ask that my colleagues support my amendment to 
H.R. 1271.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentlewoman's 
amendment and offer my compliments for her bringing this amendment, her 
diligent efforts to bring this before us, and again point out that, 
again by CBO's scoring, this will add no cost to the Federal budget.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank 
the gentleman very much.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word, and I 
rise in support of the gentlewoman's amendment to the H.R. 1271, the 
FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1997.
  This amendment serves to highlight Hispanic serving and minority 
institutions' participation in the undergraduate FAA research grants 
program established by the bill.
  There is no doubt that an overwhelming need exists for more research 
dollars to be awarded to these institutions. In 1996 they received less 
than 1 percent of available funds. That is simply not satisfactory. I 
encourage all my colleagues to today address and rectify this problem 
and to support this amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. Are there further amendments to the bill?
  If not, the question is on the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, as amended.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 
was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Goss) having assumed the chair, Mr. Stearns, Chairman of the Committee 
of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that that 
Committee, having had under consideration the bill, (H.R. 1271) to 
authorize the Federal Aviation Administration's research, engineering, 
and development programs for fiscal years 1998 through 2000, and for 
other purposes, pursuant to House Resolution 125, he reported the bill 
back to the House with an amendment adopted by the Committee of the 
Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goss). Under the rule, the previous 
question is ordered.
  Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted by the Committee of the 
Whole? If not, the question is on the amendment.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

[[Page H1952]]

  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________