[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3116-S3117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            POSITIVE SYSTEMS

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I stand today to recognize one of Montana's 
next generation jewels--Positive Systems in Whitefish, Montana. As a 
result of the dedication and commitment to their industry, Positive 
Systems has been recognized by the 1998 Governor's Excellence in 
Exporting Award Certificate of Appreciation.
  Incorporated in 1991, Positive Systems provides a technical service 
in a rather unique and young industry. Dale Johnson, Cody Benkelman and 
Ron Behrendt designed a digital aerial photography service that will 
benefit many sectors of our economy. Positive Systems is the only 
business using such methods in the rapidly growing aerial mapping 
industry. These three men from different backgrounds combined their 
skills to launch this new enterprise.
  Positive Systems has mapped landscapes throughout the world working 
for everyone from farmers to NASA. The four cameras mounted in a small 
aircraft take pictures in the visible spectrum as well as in the near 
infrared. Although the human eye is capable of sensing just a portion 
of the entire light spectrum, the cameras can see much more. The camera 
lenses pick up the nearest infrared which has several remarkable 
attributes including the fact that it interacts with chlorophyll, 
reflecting very well off of healthy plants.
  By designating a color to the near infrared the cameras can detect 
the amount of light bouncing off of a given plant--the more reflective 
the plant, the healthier it is. In an age of high-tech, precision 
agriculture, every advantage helps. An acre of farmland, for instance, 
can support upward of 11,000 heads of lettuce; so to lose even a few 
acres on a corporate farm can mean a huge financial impact.
  Understanding the whole system is a primary focus at NASA, where the 
Earth sciences program is providing government funds for private sector 
research into global change over time. In addition, Positive System 
teams with

[[Page S3117]]

NASA for standard education and land use projects. They have recently 
been awarded a contract with NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center to map 
1,000 square miles of Mississippi's coastal region.
  The system engineered by the Whitefish company, in fact, is so far 
out on the cutting edge that Positive Systems has had to wait for the 
rest of the world to catch up.
  I would like to congratulate Positive Systems on the Certificate of 
Appreciation. This kind of growth and opportunity for a small Montana 
business is impressive. As a member of the U.S. Senate Small Business 
Committee, it is becoming increasingly clear that business owners can 
effectively reach a global market regardless of where they live. 
Positive Systems has demonstrated they can compete and succeed.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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