[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.
____________________