[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 93 (Thursday, July 11, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H4514-H4521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION ACT OF 2002
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 474 and rule
XVIII, 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. 2733.
{time} 1210
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. 2733) to authorize the National Institute of Standards and
Technology to work with major manufacturing industries on an initiative
of standards development and implementation for electronic enterprise
integration, with Mr. Jeff Miller of Florida 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 Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume;
and I rise in support of the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002.
Much has changed about the manufacturing industry during the past 30
years. In the 1970s and 1980s, our manufacturing sector was in trouble.
Plagued by quality problems and inefficiency, our domestic
manufacturing sector was on the decline, and it was costing U.S.
workers their jobs. I saw this firsthand in my home State of Michigan,
when one observer noted in a national column how much Michigan's auto
manufacturing sector had fallen and asked for, in print, ``The last
person to leave the State to please turn off the lights.''
This decline served as a wake-up call not only for State and Federal
governments but especially for domestic manufacturers, and they have
worked hard over the past three decades to become leaner and more
competitive in the global marketplace. Automation, outsourcing,
efficiency, and quality became the buzzwords of this effort, as
manufacturers made fundamental changes to their business models. When
these changes were coupled with the information technology revolution,
manufacturers were able to unleash the untapped potential of American
workers.
Over the past 10 years, our workers increased their productivity as
never before in the modern era. These gains led to one of the greatest
economic expansions in U.S. history and made a bold statement that U.S.
domestic manufacturing was ready to compete in the global marketplace.
Domestic manufacturing industries are now beginning to undertake new
steps to ensure that they stay globally competitive. Our manufacturing
industries are moving away from the traditional models where products
are mass produced and consumer preferences are aggregated at the end of
a manufacturing chain. The new model is marked by a commitment to
flexibility, networked supply chains, just-in-time inventories, and
responsiveness to changes and customers' preferences. Underpinning all
these elements is the need to be able to exchange information quickly,
reliably, and without fear that the information contains errors or is
incomplete.
The purpose of the legislation before us today is to support this
critical component. H.R. 2733 will establish an enterprise integration
initiative within the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
better known as NIST. At the heart of this initiative is what modern
manufacturing industry craves--the ability to exchange information up
and down the supply chain without error or loss.
For example, with a fully integrated supply chain, if Ford were to
design a change for a bumper, every one of the suppliers that
contributes parts to Ford for that bumper would be able quickly and
easily to see how the new specifications would affect the component
they manufacture. Each supplier would be able to redesign the component
knowing that the information used does not have errors and has not lost
data along the way.
As I said earlier, the new manufacturing model requires industry to
respond to consumer choices quickly and with a high degree of quality
and reliability. This flexibility can only be achieved with a fully
integrated supply chain.
Two of Michigan's key industries, automotive and furniture, can
derive tremendous benefits from this legislation. A 1999 study by NIST
found that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler together could save $1
billion per year if they fully integrated their supply chains. West
Michigan's worldwide office furniture suppliers, Steelcase, Herman
Miller, and Haworth, are facing significant challenges both as a result
of the economic downturn and stiff foreign competition. Information
technology is a powerful tool for bringing together the various
elements of design, manufacturing, and delivery of furniture, and the
U.S. furniture industry is beginning to utilize this tool to better
integrate these elements.
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All three firms, and others, can realize huge benefits through better
linkage with their suppliers, which will lead to reductions in
inventory, fewer manufacturing slow downs, lower purchasing costs, and
higher quality.
Achieving this level of integration, however, is complex and requires
a substantial amount of research regarding what information exchange
standards need to be developed and implemented for different supply
changes. H.R. 2733
[[Page H4515]]
will allow NIST to capitalize on its existing knowledge in this field
by authorizing the agency to work with major manufacturing sectors,
such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, shipbuilding, and
furniture, to reach a consensus on what standards are needed to
integrate supply chains, support the development of those standards,
and help smaller businesses in those industries integrate fully into
their respective supply chain.
Under this legislation, NIST will work with major manufacturing
industries to identify current enterprise integration standardization
and implementation activities within the United States and abroad and
assess the current state of these activities within any given industry.
NIST will also work with individual industries to develop goals and
milestones for fully integrating the industry's supply chains.
Additionally, NIST will support the development, testing, promulgation,
integration, adoption and upgrading of standards related to enterprise
integration efforts.
I want to note that this legislation has strong bipartisan and
industry support. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) and I have
introduced this legislation, and we have worked together every step of
the way as it moved to the House floor. The legislation also
unanimously passed the Committee on Science. In addition, industry
groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the
National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing support the legislation.
If our manufacturing sector is to remain competitive in the global
marketplace, and if it is going to continue to provide jobs for
American workers, it must undertake the efforts envisioned by this
legislation. I urge Members to support the Enterprise Integration Act
so we can meet this goal.
Let me also comment to explain this in a very simple fashion, using
the words that the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) used
earlier during discussion on the rule, and that is if we do not talk
the same language with each other, we cannot communicate and we cannot
get the job done. The whole purpose of this bill is to ensure that the
computers and the officials of the companies involved can talk the same
language using the Internet, and that through that common language the
whole system will work much more efficiently, the manufacturers will
benefit through increased profits, the workers of the companies will
benefit through higher pay and more jobs. This is a good bill, and I
urge all Members to support this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Enterprise Integration Act of
2002. I rise to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for
his vision in creating this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers)
for their efforts in moving this bill through the legislative process.
Manufacturing has been and must continue to be one of the pillars of
the American economy. Federal Government support for U.S. small
businesses engaged in manufacturing is not a new thing. It dates way
back to the early days of our century when Alexander Hamilton led
efforts to help United States manufacturers adjust to the industrial
revolution. We understood even then, while we are first and foremost a
Nation of free enterprise, that free enterprise works best when our
manufacturers are equipped to compete on a level playing field and
acceptable to American industry.
As H.R. 2733 clearly points out, we have entered a period that could
be just as wrenching to today's manufacturers as the industrial
revolution was to Alexander Hamilton's contemporaries. Even a decade
ago, it was still possible to think of small manufacturers as
independent businessmen and women who made products for consumers and
other companies. Now the business environment is changing rapidly, with
the advent of the Internet and business-to-business software. Companies
which cannot function as close partners of other companies at every
step of the manufacturing process risk being left behind.
Products are now designed in weeks rather than in months. Products
become out of date in months rather than years. Suppliers now deliver
what they call ``just in time.'' In this new time frame, all waste time
must be squeezed from the manufacturing process. Manufacturers and
their suppliers must design products together. They must exchange
manufacturing data electronically. The day when virtual manufacturing
arrives and it becomes difficult to tell where one company ends and its
suppliers begin seems just around the corner. Our job is to ensure we,
the government, do not force them offshore like they have done to the
chemical companies in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Mr. Chairman, I just comment that both software and standards that
are driving this process, advanced software that knows everything
happening on a factory floor, are becoming more and more common; and as
new Internet software will soon make it possible to transmit three-
dimensional data anywhere in the world, this is helpful only if the
receiving computer system can understand and use what is sent.
Unfortunately, the millions of legacy computer systems are more like an
electronic Tower of Babel than a seamless communication system.
This will change. Work on product data exchange international
standards that will now solve this problem is ongoing in Europe as well
as in the United States. However, the European Union is investing much
more money and much more heavily than in the United States. It is
funding product data exchange standards, industry by industry, from
autos and aerospace to textiles and furniture. If we do not match these
efforts, we run the risk of an international standard being promulgated
that favors European manufacturers over our own.
I am pleased that the bill is supported by the trade associations for
several of these manufacturing sectors, as well as the National
Association of Manufacturers and the National Coalition for Advanced
Manufacturing.
Mr. Chairman, we cannot afford to let our small businesses fall
behind as the world moves toward Internet-based manufacturing. I urge
Members to support America's smaller manufacturers, and their larger
partners as well, by voting for H.R. 2733.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp).
Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Enterprise
Integration Act. This bill authorizes the National Institute of
Standards and Technology to promote best practice standards and
facilitate understanding between industry and government.
Approximately 90 percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are small
and medium-sized businesses. Quick and easy access to information in
the supply chain is critical for small businesses to be competitive.
Suppliers without the capability to collect and exchange data
electronically run the risk of being replaced by other suppliers who
can.
The last decade has seen a dramatic shift in the way information and
data are exchanged. This is due to the emergence of the Internet and
the movement toward electronically integrated supply chains.
Enterprise integration permits a group of manufacturers and suppliers
to operate as a single virtual company, without time delays and data
loss or corruption. Manufacturers must be flexible, efficient, and
responsive to changes in customer preference.
NIST will work with industry and small business to improve the way
they share product and standard information. With over 20 years of
experience in data integration, NIST has the experience to accelerate
efforts to develop industry standards and integration techniques that
are necessary to increase efficiency and lower costs. Connecting
enterprise together will streamline the manufacturing process, break
down communication barriers, improve knowledge sharing, and connect
information systems.
In my home State of Michigan, small businesses are vital to the State
economy. Over 45 percent of Michigan small businesses are in the
manufacturing sector and enterprise integration is extremely important
to ensure that the
[[Page H4516]]
manufacturing industry in Michigan and around the Nation remain strong.
The investment in enterprise integration is essential for U.S.
industry to remain competitive with overseas companies, many of which
are already heavily investing in electronic standards development.
I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for developing this
important legislation and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) of
the Committee on Science for bring this to the floor. I appreciate
their hard work on behalf of the small business community, and I urge
Members to join me in supporting the Enterprise Integration Act.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Barcia), the creator of this legislation.
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2733, the
Enterprise Integration Act of 2002; and I thank the chairman of the
Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), and
ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), for recognizing
the importance of this bill and taking the steps necessary for this
bill to be considered here today. I also want to thank the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the subcommittee chairman and lead
cosponsor, for the gentleman's efforts over the past year. His
suggested changes have enhanced the legislation, and his legislative
efforts have contributed significantly to the progress we have made on
this legislation.
I just want to take a couple of minutes to outline the need and
purpose of the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 and say I appreciate
the comments of my colleagues who have spoken before me on the need for
this legislation to become law, to not only help small and medium-sized
businesses throughout the Midwest, but across the country. And also to
say that as impressive as the growth of Internet companies has been,
its impact pales in significance to the impact that the Internet is
having on how businesses work together. Changes already under way in
the manufacturing sector will permit a manufacturer and its suppliers
to function as one virtual company. Companies will be able to exchange
information of all types with their suppliers at the speed of light.
This will dramatically shorten design-cycle times and reduce the
costs of manufacturing complex products. Information on design flaws
will be instantly transmitted from repair shops to manufacturers and
their supply chains.
However, to exchange this information, each company's computers have
to speak the same language. Sometimes the document can be converted,
other times someone has to reenter the information. The problems get
much more severe when the information being exchanged is three-
dimensional engineering drawings or complex data from the manufacturing
process. How companies address this basic question of data exchange
will determine how quickly enterprise integration occurs in the United
States.
This legislation tasks the National Institute of Standards and
Technology to help nine key industries stay competitive in the
electronic enterprise age, if those industries want the help. The
legislation instructs the director of NIST, through various NIST
programs, to support the auto, aerospace, furniture, shipbuilding,
textile, apparel, electronics, home building, and major construction
industries in the establishment of an industry-led effort on enterprise
integration. If an industry has not yet begun an effort, NIST would be
asked to help convene companies and trade associations in the industry
to develop a strategy for developing and implementing a unified vision
for supply chain integration.
If efforts are already under way and the industry wants NIST's help,
NIST is to support the ongoing efforts. NIST is asked to look at the
suite of standards now in place and to help fill the holes such as
compatibility of older standards with emerging Internet standards.
With the continued assistance of the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Boehlert), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), I am hopeful that this legislation will become
the catalyst to allow American businesses to successfully compete with
our European counterparts.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $10 million for fiscal year
2003 and $15 million for fiscal year 2004, and $20 million in fiscal
year 2005.
Enterprise integration has the potential to be the most important
innovation in manufacturing since Henry Ford's assembly line. I urge a
``yes'' vote on this bill because H.R. 2733 will give U.S. industry the
opportunity to be a leader in this innovation.
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Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I regret that my next speaker, the gentlewoman from
Maryland, had to leave for the Committee on Government Reform to
present an amendment there. I particularly regret it because she is
such an outstanding Member of Congress and an extremely conscientious
member of the committee and has worked very hard on this bill. But her
comments will be entered into the Record.
Mr. Chairman, I also want to at this time thank the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for his work on this bill and his work on the
Committee on Science. He has been an outstanding ranking member to work
with on this subcommittee and we have accomplished a great deal this
year by sharing ideas and working together on bills.
I have shared a legislative career with the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Barcia) longer than most people in this Congress have. We served
together in the State House of Michigan and the State Senate of
Michigan. He preceded me to this Congress by 11 months and 7 days, but
we have worked together since then in this Congress.
I am very sorry to see him leave this Congress, even though he will
be returning to the State of Michigan and will continue to make his
contributions there. But it has been an outstanding partnership on this
committee. We have produced some really good work together with a
minimum of strife because both of us are interested in results and not
in seeking partisan advantage on an issue. I just want to publicly
state how much I have enjoyed working with the gentleman, how much I
appreciate his work and his person and his ethical standards, and just
state my regret that he will be leaving us at the end of this year.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Michigan (Ms. Rivers), a member of our committee.
Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Enterprise
Integration Act of 2002. This bill directs the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, NIST, to establish a program to help major
manufacturing industries, especially small businesses, standardize and
better integrate exchange of data between manufacturers, assemblers and
suppliers.
H.R. 2733 is a timely and smart piece of legislation. Small
manufacturers are the backbone of our economy. However, they do not
operate in a vacuum. Manufacturers, large and small, work together
along a vertical supply chain, making a seamless flow of information
critical to their success.
Currently, many small businesses do not have the knowledge or ability
to access the type of electronic media large manufacturers use to
integrate purchases. In other cases, compatibility issues between
different computer networks, software and hardware make it difficult,
and sometimes impossible, for the full benefits of virtual
manufacturing environments to be realized.
This lack of compatibility in computer hardware, software and their
interfaces with machinery makes it difficult for these supply chain
firms to supply the goods and services to their traditional clients in
an efficient manner, and makes it even harder to develop relationships
with new clients.
As we move forward into an international economy, our domestic
producers must be able to keep up with suppliers and manufacturers
overseas. The European Union is already investing substantially in
ensuring that its companies will be able to perform in the emerging
virtual business environment, where the Internet will permit companies
anywhere in the world to exchange data and function as a single virtual
company.
[[Page H4517]]
H.R. 2733 addresses this need and establishes an enterprise
integration initiative at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology. This will allow NIST to work with industry to develop road
maps that outline the steps a given industry must take to become more
integrated electronically and also help industry develop volunteer
consensus standards and agreements on protocols for information
exchange which will provide assistance to conduct pilot projects to
support the initiative.
The Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 takes the necessary steps to
get standards in place to create the first truly virtual companies.
When industries become fully integrated electronically, information can
flow freely along the entire supply chain without corruption or loss of
important data. All types of manufacturers, from automobiles to
furniture to shipbuilding, will stand to benefit from the efficiency
gains that this legislation will help usher in. I stand in support of
this legislation.
Mr. HALL of Texas. I have no further requests for time, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I just want to conclude by saying that this is a very
worthwhile bill which, even though I gave all the examples as
benefiting Michigan industry, it will benefit the industry of every
State in this Union, and, for that matter, every territory. It is a
good thing for us to do, to help create more jobs and to make sure that
we are more competitive in the world marketplace. I urge passage of
this bill.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, it is with great pleasure that I rise in
support of H.R. 2733, the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002. I want to
commend Chairman Ehlers and Ranking Member Barcia for their bipartisan
efforts in bringing this bill before us today.
Enterprise integration is quickly becoming one of the most important
business concepts of the electronic age. Developing a seamless exchange
of information along a vertical supply chain is essential to
maintaining production in our new, fast-paced, just-in-time-
manufacturing economy. Companies are increasingly interconnected and
must rely on one another in ways never before imagined. Standardization
of their means of communication is imperative for their continued
success.
Enterprise integration allows a group of businesses to act as a
single ``virtual'' company. Design or management changes are
immediately transmitted throughout the supply chain, allowing real time
integration into the various components. The result is a leaner and
more efficient manufacturing process. Implementation of such a plan has
been projected to save the auto industry over $1 billion/year.
Similarly dramatic savings are possible in a host of other
manufacturing industries as well. Any industry that relies on a series
of companies efficiently working together would benefit.
However, there are significant challenges. Significant numbers of
incompatible design, engineering and manufacturing systems abound
within a typical supply chain. Various vendors have been selling
management systems to individual companies for years without
incorporating concern for future interconnectivity. Even new
development causes problems. New software packages with greater
functionality create difficulties for small companies at the bottom of
the supply chain, since they can ill-afford to keep up with the latest
technology.
One promising solution is in data exchange standards. The creation of
standard protocols for the exchange of information between systems
could alleviate the difficulties associated with inter-company
communication. NIST has over 20 years experience in this critical area
and is well positioned to take the lead for enterprising integration in
the United States. NIST has a long track record and a close and trusted
relationship among industry leaders. It has obtained this reputation by
working with industry and including them in the standards setting
process rather than imposing one on them. In addition, NIST already has
a number of programs designed at improving the role of small businesses
and is aware of their particular needs.
Standards are essential to enterprise integration and traditionally
it has been the role of government to foster their development. NIST
has all of the expertise and experience required and is the ideal
agency to lead this effort. I want to thank the leadership for
recognizing the importance of this issue to the small business
community and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in a nature of a substitute
printed in the bill shall be considered by sections as an original bill
for the purpose of amendment and each section is considered 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 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 ``Enterprise Integration Act
of 2002''.
Mr. EHLERS. 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
Michigan?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill is as follows:
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Over 90 percent of United States companies engaged in
manufacturing are small and medium-sized businesses.
(2) Most of these manufacturers produce goods for
assemblage into products of large companies.
(3) The emergence of the World Wide Web and the
promulgation of international standards for product data
exchange greatly accelerated the movement toward
electronically integrated supply chains during the last half
of the 1990's.
(4) European and Asian countries are investing heavily in
electronic enterprise standards development, and in preparing
their smaller manufacturers to do business in the new
environment. European efforts are well advanced in the
aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding industries and are
beginning in other industries including home building,
furniture manufacturing, textiles, and apparel. This
investment could give overseas companies a major competitive
advantage.
(5) The National Institute of Standards and Technology,
because of the electronic commerce expertise in its
laboratories and quality program, its long history of working
cooperatively with manufacturers, and the nationwide reach of
its manufacturing extension program, is in a unique position
to help United States large and smaller manufacturers alike
in their responses to this challenge.
(6) It is, therefore, in the national interest for the
National Institute of Standards and Technology to accelerate
its efforts in helping industry develop standards and
enterprise integration processes that are necessary to
increase efficiency and lower costs.
SEC. 3. ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION INITIATIVE.
(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish an
initiative for advancing enterprise integration within the
United States. In carrying out this section, the Director
shall involve, as appropriate, the various units of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, including the
National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories
(including the Building and Fire Research Laboratory), the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership program established under
sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), and the Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Program. This initiative shall
build upon ongoing efforts of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and of the private sector, shall
involve consortia that include government and industry, and
shall address the enterprise integration needs of each United
States major manufacturing industry at the earliest possible
date.
(b) Assessment.--For each major manufacturing industry, the
Director may work with industry, trade associations,
professional societies, and others as appropriate, to
identify enterprise integration standardization and
implementation activities underway in the United States and
abroad that affect that industry and to assess the current
state of enterprise integration within that industry. The
Director may assist in the development of roadmaps to permit
supply chains within the industry to operate as an integrated
electronic enterprise. The roadmaps shall be based on
voluntary consensus standards.
(c) Reports.--Within 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director
shall submit to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the National
Institute of Standards and Technology's activities under
subsection (b).
(d) Authorized Activities.--In order to carry out this Act,
the Director may work with industry, trade associations,
professional societies, and others as appropriate--
(1) to raise awareness in the United States of enterprise
integration activities in the United States and abroad,
including by the convening of conferences;
(2) on the development of enterprise integration roadmaps;
(3) to support the development, testing, promulgation,
integration, adoption, and upgrading of standards related to
enterprise integration including application protocols; and
[[Page H4518]]
(4) to provide technical assistance and, if necessary,
financial support to small and medium-sized businesses that
set up pilot projects in enterprise integration.
(e) Manufacturing Extension Program.--The Director shall
ensure that the Manufacturing Extension Program is prepared
to advise small and medium-sized businesses on how to acquire
the expertise, equipment, and training necessary to
participate fully in supply chains using enterprise
integration.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act--
(1) the term ``automotive'' means land-based engine-powered
vehicles including automobiles, trucks, busses, trains,
defense vehicles, farm equipment, and motorcycles;
(2) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(3) the term ``enterprise integration'' means the
electronic linkage of manufacturers, assemblers, suppliers,
and customers to enable the electronic exchange of product,
manufacturing, and other business data among all partners in
a product supply chain, and such term includes related
application protocols and other related standards;
(4) the term ``major manufacturing industry'' includes the
aerospace, automotive, electronics, shipbuilding,
construction, home building, furniture, textile, and apparel
industries and such other industries as the Director
designates; and
(5) the term ``roadmap'' means an assessment of
manufacturing interoperability requirements developed by an
industry describing that industry's goals related to
enterprise integration, the knowledge and standards including
application protocols necessary to achieve those goals, and
the necessary steps, timetable, and assignment of
responsibilities for acquiring the knowledge and developing
the standards and protocols.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director to
carry out functions under this Act--
(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(3) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 1 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
Page 5, line 6, insert ``, including awareness by
businesses that are majority owned by women, minorities, or
both,'' after ``in the United States''.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. As a Member of the House Committee on
Science, I remember having the pleasure of joining this committee when
I first was elected and I started out by saying science is the work of
the 21st century. This legislation epitomizes that thought.
I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for his
long-standing leadership on this issue to recognize that it is our job
in this Congress to help create jobs and to make a better pathway for
those jobs to be created and for the products to be the best product
that you can produce here in the United States. This legislation does
that. I do thank him for that.
I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) again for his
leadership and the bipartisan spirit that this legislation has moved,
and the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the chairman of the committee,
for putting forward H.R. 2733, the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002.
I believe that this country loses when we lose the opportunity to
manufacture. We lose the opportunity to have that kind of technology
and expertise, because I agree with the chairman of this subcommittee
and, of course, the ranking member, that computers are very important
in allowing their language to be the same. We speak now in computers.
We use computers almost for everything that we can think of. We use it
in our consumer life and in our nonbusiness life, but we certainly do
use it in our business life, and it is important for computers of all
companies, of all size companies, to be able to communicate. That means
that the language must be the same, the whole system must be integrated
and they must understand each other.
I believe that manufacturers in the United States will benefit, and I
have a particular area in my district where there are small
manufacturers and small businesses, and they depend upon producing a
product that large manufacturers will buy. They need to have the right
language to produce the safest and best product. I believe the workers
will benefit because that small company will benefit, and, as well, I
believe that we will have a better and more diverse product.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I am now submitting this amendment, as I
said, in order to ensure that our women-owned and minority-owned
businesses are likewise involved; that they have the same outreach, the
same capacity, the same language, the same computer technology.
We said some few years ago, and it seems like it was a long time ago,
that we must close the digital divide. The Committee on Science has
worked diligently with many members of the Committee on Science to make
sure the digital divide is closed and our schools are linked, our small
businesses are linked, our communities are linked.
I might say there is work to be done in our rural areas and our urban
areas and some of the schools across the Nation, I would say a large
number. This is a step in the direction of ensuring that the
manufacturing system, large and small, is integrated together. I know
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) has worked very long on this,
and again I would like to say this is where Texas and Michigan are
working together, because even though we are in different regions, we
know that automation, technology and manufacturing speak in one voice
and one language.
I would like to make sure that when we talk about these issues, we
talk about the richness of the diversity of America and all businesses,
small businesses, minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses,
have the ability to access H.R. 2733.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues to support this
amendment.
Mr. Chairman, from the dawn of the computer age, integrated
automation has been the Holy Grail of computing. Achieving full
integrated automation remains elusive, despite huge investments in a
wide array of technologies that promise integration--from database
technologies to single-vendor application suites. The integration
challenge is fundamentally twofold: (1) business process assets
(programs and documentation) and (2) information assets (databases and
files). A complete enterprise integration strategy must encompass both
of these critically important asset classes.
The guiding philosophy behind integration at the data layer is that
the real currency of the enterprise is its data and that the best path
to this data is usually not through the original application.
Additionally, the implied business logic in the data and metadata can
be easily manipulated directly by applications in the new architecture
of the enterprise. This premise is underscored by the fact that in both
application integration and data integration, business logic is
transferred and/or rewritten outside the original applications. The
challenge is in actually getting to the data. Current business
processes are critical to initiatives focused on the improved
automation of internal workflow as well as interactions with suppliers,
partners and distributors. Reusing the existing application packages is
reasonable, because the focus is on improving the delivery mechanism or
extending the system-level interfaces of the current processes. Data
asset integration is critical to the success of externally focused
initiatives that are driven by new business processes. For example,
self-service initiatives are driven by the needs of new audiences to
access existing information.
Today's U.S. economy depends more than ever on the talents of
skilled, high-tech workers. To sustain America's preeminence we must
take drastic steps to change the way we develop our technology
landscape. The continually evolving nature of every business's
application landscape drives the need for easy-to-use automated
information integration between application platforms. While the ideal
is a single database infrastructure that supports all applications
within a business, the evolutionary nature of technology investments
makes this an unattainable goal for most.
To address these challenges, companies are devising integration
architectures designed to leverage their data assets while insulating
themselves from ongoing changes in technology. Unfortunately, there is
no single strategy or product that addresses all the diverse
integration challenges faced by most enterprises. Therefore, enterprise
integration is not a one-size-fits-all problem, and there is no one-
size-fits-all solution. The businesses need that drive to search for
integration solutions that demand a mix of technologies. Understanding
the dynamics of application-driven and data-driven integration
solutions empowers technology to implement the right solution for the
problem at hand.
By not tapping into the potential of all our groups, we are losing
ground by not tapping into the potential of all our groups. We must
take some bold steps today, for the rewards to
[[Page H4519]]
our country and our citizens will be great. Many minority people feel
it's an impossible field to get into because they have had little or no
knowledge about career choices in the field.
Changes are sweeping our computer-intertwined real lives in many
different directions and our society is being further fragmented, not
only by levels of education, financial status, and ethnic background,
but also by accessibility to and knowledge of the world of the
artificial. The world of interactions with computers has extended from
programming to dialogs and navigation in virtual and simulated worlds
of information that will further divide our children and adults into
``haves and have-nots.'' The underrepresented minority population in
the United States, while increasing in numbers, is decreasing in
numbers of people entering the computer field at a time when the bounty
of new opportunities seems to be rising without end in sight. Large
segments of the population, on the basis of ethnicity and gender, are
not participating in proportional numbers in supplying the information
technology needs of the nation.
The lack of diversity of science, engineering and technology
education and careers is nothing new. Stereotypes based on race,
ethnicity, gender, and disability have long discouraged inquisitive
minds whose bodies do not match the public image. This is why I have
proposed these amendments, I believe that women and minorities should
be included in this technology revolution. They should not be left
behind.
I urge support of the amendments to H.R. 2733.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Mr. Chairman, it is a pleasure to rise and indicate my willingness to
accept this amendment, just as we did in the previous bill.
Mr. Chairman, I have worked with the gentlewoman from Texas on many
issues relating to this. I am very familiar with NIST and their work,
and, I suspect, in fact, I believe it is correct to say that they are
as color-blind and gender-blind as anyone I have known, largely because
on issues such as this they are working primarily on the computer
language rather than on other issues.
But, nevertheless, given the past history of our Nation and of some
business practices, it never hurts to add the language that the
gentlewoman from Texas has included in her amendment, and it certainly
enhances the bill, does not detract from it, and I am very pleased to
accept this amendment.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. EHLERS. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentleman
very much as well, because we have worked on the Committee on Science
for a number of years and I believe he has consistently joined in on
issues dealing with outreach to minorities and women. I thank the
gentleman for accepting this particular amendment that adds to this
very excellent bill on this issue.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite
number of words.
Mr. Chairman, this is a good amendment, and I want to thank the
gentlewoman from Houston, Texas. It is an upgrading amendment. It is in
the area of a housekeeping amendment, but it is much more than that.
This amendment actually accentuates awareness, delineates the
requirement that all sectors are addressed. The gentlewoman included
all businesses, including women and minorities. It is a good amendment.
It certainly helps to close the digital divide, and I support the
amendment and ask for its passage.
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of
words.
Mr. Chairman, I simply want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for
her amendment, which strengthens the bill and sends the right signal
that we all recognize here in Congress and across the country that the
major growth of small- and medium-sized businesses in this country is
at the behest of women entrepreneurs, as well as minority
entrepreneurs. Certainly it is the intent of this legislation to
include all of those risk-takers who create jobs and create growth in
our economy. Obviously I think the bill is a better bill with the
amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). I am
fully supportive of the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I also want to thank the gentleman from Michigan
(Chairman Ehlers) for his kind remarks and say that I have enjoyed
serving on our subcommittee thoroughly with each and every member of
that subcommittee who worked so diligently and in a bipartisan fashion
each and every week throughout the year we are in session to produce a
great quality of legislation and measures that will enhance
competitiveness for our domestic business community, as well as
strengthen science in business and our environmental regulations.
I am proud as a member of that subcommittee to say that we always
approached these issues with a bipartisan approach, and I am very
grateful to the chairman of the subcommittee as well as the members of
the subcommittee and the full committee, along with the ranking member,
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and the gentleman from New York
(Chairman Boehlert), for moving this legislation so expeditiously.
{time} 1245
It will help, and I am grateful for their support.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 2 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
Offered By: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Amendment No. 2: Page 5, after line 25, insert the
following new subsection:
(f) Women and Minority Awareness Studies.--
(1) Baseline study.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to
the Congress a report describing the extent of awareness of,
and participation in, enterprise integration development
activities by businesses that are majority owned by women,
minorities, or both.
(2) Program evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
transmit to the Congress a report evaluating the extent to
which activities under this section, especially under
subsection (d)(1), have increased the awareness of, and
participation in, enterprise integration development
activities by businesses that are majority owned by women,
minorities, or both.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me frame my interest in
this amendment, and that is that I believe to sustain America's
preeminence we must take drastic steps to change the way we develop our
technology landscape. The continually evolving nature of every
business's application landscape drives the need for easy-to-use
automated immigration between application platforms.
This is an excellent legislative initiative that we are now
discussing. And I wanted to make sure that as we implemented this
legislation, I encourage my colleagues to vote enthusiastically for
H.R. 2733, that we would put in place a women-and-minority awareness
study to ensure that we are reaching out to women-owned businesses as
we do to all businesses and to minority businesses all over this
country.
But I have had the opportunity to discuss with the distinguished
ranking member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Barcia), and I am very pleased with both the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Ehlers) and his commitment to this issue, and I would like to work
with them with the idea of working this legislation through its process
as it works its will to ensure that these aspects of the legislation
are included, and we will work together on that. And in that vein, Mr.
Chairman, I am going to ask unanimous consent to withdraw this
amendment.
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.
Mr. BARCIA. I would like to thank the gentlewoman for withdrawing
this amendment, but also pledge my support in work with her and other
members of the subcommittee and Chairman Ehlers, as well as those
officials at NIST, to accomplish the goals of this amendment, and I
appreciate again the intent of what she is trying
[[Page H4520]]
to accomplish. It certainly will enhance the mission that we are
attempting to achieve with this bill, and I want to thank the
gentlewoman for the amendment which was just adopted which strengthens
the bill, but also agreeing today to work further on this issue as the
process moves forward.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank very much the distinguished ranking
member. We are going to miss him very much as he goes on to other great
opportunities in his great State, and we appreciate very much his
leadership on this issue.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.
Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank her for
offering the amendment that once again raises an issue that deserves to
be raised. But I also appreciate her withdrawing this because it would
be inappropriate in this bill at this time simply because it would
likely detract from the central goal and slow it down, and it is very
important to get this into action soon. But once again, this is
something we would pursue down the line, I am sure, if there is a
problem that has to be followed. So I appreciate her offering it, and I
appreciate her willingness to withdraw it at this time.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I look forward to working with the
gentleman from Michigan on this.
Mr. Chairman, with the acknowledgment of the great work of our
respective ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and the
gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) on
this matter, I look forward to working with them on this. More
importantly, I am delighted that this legislation will bear the
gentleman's name and so many lives will be improved by this
legislation. Mr. Chairman, with that I will work on this matter with my
colleagues.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to
withdraw the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the committee amendment in the
nature of a substitute, as amended.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substituted, as amended,
was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Hastings of Washington) having assumed the chair, Mr. Jeff Miller of
Florida, 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. 2733) to authorize the National Institute of Standards
and Technology to work with major manufacturing industries on an
initiative of standards development and implementation for electronic
enterprise integration, pursuant to House Resolution 474, he reported
the bill back to the House with an amendment adopted by the Committee
of the Whole.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is
ordered.
Is a separate vote demanded on the 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 committee amendment in the nature
of a substitute.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute 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. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
announces that this vote will be followed by a 5-minute vote on the
passage of H.R. 2486.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 397,
nays 22, not voting 15, as follows:
[Roll No. 293]
YEAS--397
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Allen
Andrews
Armey
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldacci
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bono
Boozman
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Bryant
Burr
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Combest
Condit
Conyers
Cooksey
Costello
Cox
Coyne
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Fletcher
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Frank
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goode
Gordon
Goss
Graham
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grucci
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Harman
Hart
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Herger
Hill
Hilleary
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Horn
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Luther
Lynch
Maloney (CT)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Markey
Mascara
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinney
McNulty
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller, Dan
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mink
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Murtha
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Ose
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Phelps
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Roemer
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Sabo
Sanchez
Sanders
Sandlin
Sawyer
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shows
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Stenholm
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sullivan
Sununu
Sweeney
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watson (CA)
Watt (NC)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--22
Akin
Burton
Coble
Cubin
Culberson
Duncan
Flake
Hefley
Hostettler
Kerns
Miller, Jeff
Otter
Paul
Pence
Rohrabacher
Royce
[[Page H4521]]
Ryun (KS)
Schaffer
Sensenbrenner
Stearns
Tancredo
Toomey
NOT VOTING--15
Barrett
Becerra
Blagojevich
Bonior
Collins
Dunn
Goodlatte
Hastings (FL)
Lewis (GA)
Meehan
Reyes
Roukema
Traficant
Velazquez
Watkins (OK)
{time} 1314
Messrs. DUNCAN, SCHAFFER, HEFLEY, AKIN, BURTON, and ROHRABACHER and
Mrs. CUBIN changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________