[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H191-H194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  FAA RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and take 
from the Speaker's table 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 Senate amendments thereto, and concur in the Senate amendments.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``FAA Research, Engineering, 
     and Development Authorization Act of 1997''.

     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, $226,800,000, including--
       ``(A) $16,379,000 for system development and infrastructure 
     projects and activities;
       ``(B) $27,089,000 for capacity and air traffic management 
     technology projects and activities;
       ``(C) $23,362,000 for communications, navigation, and 
     surveillance projects and activities;
       ``(D) $16,600,000 for weather projects and activities;
       ``(E) $7,854,000 for airport technology projects and 
     activities;
       ``(F) $49,202,000 for aircraft safety technology projects 
     and activities;
       ``(G) $53,759,000 for system security technology projects 
     and activities;
       ``(H) $26,550,000 for human factors and aviation medicine 
     projects and activities;
       ``(I) $2,891,000 for environment and energy projects and 
     activities; and
       ``(J) $3,114,000 for innovative/cooperative research 
     projects and activities; and
       ``(5) for fiscal year 1999, $229,673,000.''.

     SEC. 3. 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 to utilize 
     undergraduate and technical colleges, including Historically 
     Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving 
     Institutions, in 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 and technical colleges;
       ``(B) research projects that combine research at primarily 
     undergraduate institutions and technical colleges with other 
     research supported by the Federal Aviation Administration; or
       ``(C) research on future training requirements on projected 
     changes in regulatory requirements for aircraft maintenance 
     and power plant licensees.
       ``(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 by inserting ``, of which $750,000 shall be 
     for carrying out the grant program established under 
     subsection (h)'' after ``projects and activities'' in 
     paragraph (4)(J).

     SEC. 4. NOTICES.

       (a) 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 30 days before 
     any major reorganization (as determined by the Administrator) 
     of any program of the Federal Aviation Administration for 
     which funds are authorized by this Act.

     SEC. 5. 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.
         Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to authorize the 
     Federal Aviation Administration's research, engineering, and 
     development programs for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and for 
     other purposes.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Gordon) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner).
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, 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. Speaker, H.R. 1271 authorizes the FAA to carry 
out its Research, Engineering and Development program for fiscal years 
1998 and 1999. 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.
  Technologies developed through the RE&D program are helping to 
transform our Nation's aging aviation system into a modern air traffic 
management system capable of meeting the increased aviation demands of 
the coming century. Examples of recent advances developed utilizing 
RE&D funds include quieter aircraft technology, more reliable aircraft 
control equipment, advanced explosive detection systems, and longer 
lasting runways.
  Overall, H.R. 1271 authorizes $226.8 million in fiscal year 1998 and 
$229.6 million in fiscal year 1999 for the FAA to carry out the RE&D 
program. Critical projects and activities of the program include 
research and development in the areas of air traffic management, 
navigation, weather, aircraft safety, systems security and human 
factors.
  Finally, H.R. 1271 contains language to require the FAA to provide 
Congress with notice of any major reprogramming or reorganization 
effort within the RE&D program and directs the FAA to move immediately 
to access the pending effect of the year 2000 computer program on the 
agency's information system. The legislation does not, however, include 
an authorization of funds for implementing the Flight 2000 
demonstration program requested by the administration in the fiscal 
1999 budget request. The Committee on Science plans to hold 
authorization hearings beginning next month on this program.
  I would like to commend the gentlewoman from Maryland, (Mrs. 
Morella), the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Technology, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), the ranking member of the 
committee, and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the ranking 
member of the subcommittee, and other members of the Committee on 
Science for their hard work in crafting this legislation.
  H.R. 1271 is a true bipartisan bill which originally passed the House 
by the overwhelming vote of 414 to 7. Late last year the Senate amended 
and passed H.R. 1271. The Senate amendment made two significant changes 
to the bill. First. It struck the fiscal year 2000 authorization and, 
second, it increased the authorization for RE&D by $5.6 million in 
fiscal year 1999.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1271, as amended by the Senate, is a good bill and 
I strongly urge my colleagues to demonstrate our Nation's commitment to 
civil aviation research and development by voting aye today and sending 
this bill to the President.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,

[[Page H192]]

and I rise in support of H.R. 1271, the FAA Research, Engineering and 
Development Act of 1997.
  H.R. 1271 is the product of a bipartisan process to strengthen the 
research and development activities of the FAA. The FAA's RE&D programs 
are key to increasing the capacity and efficiency of the national 
aerospace system while ensuring its safety and security.
  H.R. 1271 reverses the downward trend in FAA's research, engineering 
and development account, which has declined by 20 percent in the last 2 
years. This funding increase will improve research in areas such as 
noise abatement and weather prediction, areas identified by outside 
advisory panels that need increased support.
  H.R. 1271 also includes language urging the FAA to address the year 
2000 computer problem. Unless the necessary steps are taken, FAA's air 
traffic control operations could be disrupted in 2000. However, this is 
not simply a problem limited to the United States airspace. The air 
traffic control system of every nation must be corrected, and I urge 
the FAA to take the lead to make other countries aware of this problem 
and the steps needed to correct it.
  In addition, this bill includes my proposed establishing a 
competitive research grants program for primarily undergraduate 
institutions. This program will support research relevant to FAA's 
technology needs and, more importantly, will help develop the technical 
expertise to address FAA's future technology requirements. This 
provision had widespread support of the House and the other body.
  Finally, I wanted to acknowledge that H.R. 1271 does not authorize 
FAA's new Flight 2000 program. However, it is my understanding that we 
will review this program in the next month and can then authorize 
funding as part of the FAA's overall reauthorizing bill. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1271.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the subcommittee chairwoman.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Committee on 
Science for yielding me this time, and, Mr. Speaker, as chair of the 
Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Technology I am really very 
pleased to bring before this body full support for H.R. 1271, the FAA 
Research, Engineering and Development Act of 1997.
  The legislation authorizes $226.8 million in fiscal year 1998 and 
$229.7 million in fiscal year 1999 for the Federal Aviation 
Administration to conduct research, engineering and development 
activities that are helping to increase the efficiency and safety of 
aviation. H.R. 1271 authorizes funding for the FAA to conduct RE&D 
projects in activities including research on aircraft structures and 
materials, systems security, the use of satellite communication and 
navigation, airport safety, human factors, and FAA internal 
improvements.
  In addition, the fiscal year 1999 authorization level ensures that 
sufficient funding is available for the research and development of new 
technologies to reduce aircraft noise, to conduct FAA air traffic 
control modernization efforts, and to improve weather information. 
Improving weather information is especially important since it is both 
the single largest contributor to delays and a major factor in aircraft 
accidents.
  The bill also establishes a program that utilizes undergraduate and 
technical colleges to research methods that will assist the FAA in 
carrying out its important missions.
  And finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1271 includes a sense of Congress 
concerning the need for the Federal Aviation Administration to assess 
immediately the effect of the year 2000 computer problem on its 
computer systems. This provision is significant and this bill past the 
House earlier this year by a vote of 414 to 7.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), 
the chairman of the committee; and I want to commend the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Brown), the ranking member, and the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Bart Gordon), my Subcommittee on Technology member, 
for the work they have done. This is indeed a bipartisan product.
  I encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1271 and, 
by sending this legislation to the President for his signature into 
law, Congress will assist the FAA to develop a national aviation system 
that is universally recognized as the safest, most technologically 
advanced system in the world.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) for yielding me this time.
  This is truly a bipartisan bill and I am rising to support H.R. 1271. 
Noting the increased amount of aviation travel among our citizens in 
this country, it is extremely important that we have a bill that 
focuses on many aspects of safety but also focuses on the vision and 
the future of the aviation industry.
  In particular, I would like to thank and congratulate the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the committee, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the chairman of the 
subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), the ranking 
member, and my friend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Bart Gordon), 
the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Technology.
  With the vision and insight to emphasize research and opportunities 
for undergraduate institutions in particular, the gentleman from 
Tennessee's effort provides for a merit-based competitive process that 
will allow our undergraduate institutions to involve themselves in 
research in the FAA.

                              {time}  1500

  Interestingly enough, most research opportunities are viewed at our 
graduate schools, opportunities for our graduate students. But how 
important it is to recognize, for example, that institutions like Texas 
Southern University in my district, that has a Department of 
Transportation, can ably lend themselves to engage in merit-based 
competitive grant opportunities to do search research for the FAA.
  In particular, I am very pleased that language that I offered in 
committee and that was supported by committee is included in this bill 
which encourages research to undergraduate students at our Nation's 
historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic serving 
institutions. As many of my colleagues may know, the majority of our 
HBCUs and Hispanic serving institutions are primarily undergraduate 
institutions.
  Included in the section which funds research grant programs involving 
undergraduate students is a provision that includes historically black 
colleges and universities and Hispanic serving institutions in the 
language of the bill. This section targets at primarily undergraduate 
institutions that involve undergraduate students in their research on 
subjects of relevance to the Federal Aviation Administration. It begins 
to formulate professionals at an early age.
  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 in 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 amounts awarded to minority institutions 
doubled but still was not impressive. Of the $10 million, $260,000 was 
awarded to HBCUs and $200,000 was awarded to Hispanic serving 
institutions. This is a sad and telling story on the state of research 
development within our minority universities and colleges.
  Without open opportunities and without encouragement for everyone to 
be treated equally in this Nation, it is extremely important to create 
these opportunities of research.
  The HBCU and Hispanic serving institutions language in this bill 
serves to unquestionably reflect that undergraduate students at 
minority institutions should aggressively compete for grant awards 
within the FAA. This language seeks to promote minority university 
awareness of research opportunities.

[[Page H193]]

  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 HBCUs are underfunded in laboratory 
equipment, HBCUs have an overwhelming success rate in producing the 
Nation's top black mathematicians, scientists, and physicians.
  Mr. Speaker, when we are called by name, we tend to act; we are more 
likely to respond. This bill 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 HBCUs 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.
  This is a call for my colleagues to listen and to act. This is a call 
for us to participate in the technology of this Nation and creating 
safety for this Nation as well.
  Mr. Speaker, while some of my colleagues 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, however, to note that 
there are some in our country who do not appreciate this bill, this 
particular view. Consequently, our minority universities are often 
overlooked or forgotten.
  Clearly, with this language, we have opened the doors of opportunity. 
H.R. 1271 allows undergraduate students at HBCUs and Hispanic serving 
institutions to definitely 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.
  Again, I thank the committee; And the call is now out for our 
universities all over the Nation that include minorities to participate 
in this new technological advance.
  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.
  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. At the FAA, the numbers speak 
for themselves.
  This is why I am pleased with H.R. 1271 and the inclusion of HBCUs in 
the language of the bill. It is a good first step in reaching out to 
minority institutions that can and must compete in the research and 
development arena.
  Hispanic serving institutions are colleges and universities that 
educate mostly Hispanic and Latino students. I am proud to announce 
that my new district, the 18th Congressional District, includes a good 
portion of the Heights in Houston, Texas. In the Heights are people of 
all racial and ethic backgrounds including the Hispanic culture. Many 
of the residents of the Heights attend both HBCUs and Hispanic serving 
institutions as well as majority colleges and universities. I am proud 
to be a representative of each.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and 
appreciate the leadership that he has shown, along with the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Gordon) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), the respective 
committee and subcommittee chairmen over on the minority side.
  I rise in support of the concurring amendments to H.R. 1271, the FAA 
Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1997. The 
House overwhelmingly passed this bill last April by a vote of 414 to 7 
to authorize funding for the FAA's research, engineering, and 
development programs for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and the year 2000. 
The Senate also passed this bill with amendments, which include the 
elimination of funding authorization for fiscal year 2000 and an 
increase in funding levels over the original House bill.
  I ask all of my colleagues to affirmatively lend their support to 
this legislation. It is crucial to ensuring that the FAA is able to 
continue research and development projects that will improve the 
safety, security, capacity, and productivity of our Nation's air 
traffic control system. The FAA's Research and Development program also 
conducts aviation medical research, environmental research to mitigate 
aircraft noise and engine emission and airway facilities maintenance. 
Indeed, this bill is essential to the well-being of air passengers as 
well as the many Americans who are affected daily by air traffic and 
the attendant noise and pollution.
  The amendments to H.R. 1271 authorize $226.6 million for fiscal year 
1998 and $229.673 million for fiscal year 1999, funding levels that are 
slightly higher than those originally approved by this body. These 
increases will allow the FAA to focus research, engineering and 
development on safeguarding sensitive computer and information system 
data that control air traffic management. It will permit the FAA to 
place a higher priority on weather research projects, reflecting the 
recommendation of both the FAA Research, Engineering and Development 
Advisory Committee and the National Academy of Science. Weather is the 
single largest contributor to delays and a major factor in aircraft 
accidents and incidents.
  Additionally, these monies will allow FAA safety inspectors to take 
proactive, rather than reactive, measures to reduce the rate of 
aviation-related accidents.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is critical to our Nation's ability to 
maintain and improve safe air travel, and I urge all of my colleagues 
to vote in favor of H.R. 1271 with the amendments.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am including in the Record copies of 
correspondence between Chairman Sensenbrenner and myself from April, 
1997.
  By including this in the Record, I want to reiterate the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's exclusive jurisdiction of 
the traditional activities in the facilities and equipment account.

                                         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, Committee on 
           Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                   Washington, DC, April 23, 1997.
     Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, 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. The 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

[[Page H194]]

     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. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodlatte). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that 
the House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 
1271.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were 
concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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