[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10069-S10070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S REORGANIZATION

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, earlier today, the Federal Communications 
Commission Chairman, Kevin Martin, created a new FCC bureau dedicated 
to public safety and homeland security functions. The new FCC bureau 
will be named the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and will 
handle issues that are currently spread over several separate FCC 
bureaus and offices. For instance, it will handle enhanced 911 calls. 
It will handle priority emergency services, an emergency alert system, 
disaster management coordination, and communications infrastructure 
protection.
  My generation relied on radio. Now all of us have different forms of 
communications. But there was no uniform communication mechanism such 
as radio was back in the 1930s or 1940s. Chairman Martin's 
reorganization recognizes the change in the technologies that can be 
used for emergency communications.
  I commend the FCC, under Chairman Martin, for its leadership in 
directing the Universal Service Program to play a significant role in 
rebuilding the communications infrastructure, something that they have 
announced today also. Since its inception, the focus of the Universal 
Service Program has been on ensuring that all Americans are connected 
and able to communicate. As the citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi 
rebuild and return to their homes, they need to know that they can pick 
up their phones and make a call, which is why we have universal 
service. The steps that the FCC announced today, giving priority to 
rebuilding activities using universal service funds will help both in 
the short and long term.
  The FCC is using these universal service funds temporarily to support 
wireless handsets, coupled with a package of free minutes for evacuees 
and people still in the affected area that are without telephone 
service. The FCC is also helping health care providers and the Red 
Cross shelters by modifying the health care program to double discounts 
for public and nonprofit health care providers. The FCC is allowing 
health care providers to submit new or revised universal support 
applications--requests for the money--for 2005, since their needs have 
obviously changed.
  On the rebuilding front, universal service will help schools 
reconnect to the Internet, consumers reconnect to

[[Page S10070]]

their phones, and telephone companies to rebuild. Specifically, the FCC 
is designating schools and libraries struck by the hurricane to receive 
the highest level of priority under the E-Rate Program for 2005 and 
2006. They are allowing schools and libraries serving evacuees to amend 
their 2005 application to account for the unexpected increase in 
population. They are using the Link-Up Program to provide support to 
pay the cost of reconnecting consumers to the network as the disaster-
struck area is rebuilt. And they are providing BellSouth flexibility to 
use high-cost model support to rebuild wire centers affected by the 
hurricane.
  In other words, this is a unique use of universal service funds. It 
took courage to do so. I am proud to hear of the FCC's willingness to 
work around the clock to assist companies in the affected areas with 
needed waivers. I also commend the FCC for its plans to establish the 
new Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. We have all seen the 
devastation and communications outages caused by the massive flooding 
and the storm surge.
  Certainly, we will have to look at improving our Nation's alert and 
disaster warning systems as well as our communications 
interoperability. As chair of the Commerce Committee in the Senate, 
along with my cochair and good friend, Senator Dan Inouye of Hawaii, I 
intend to work closely with my colleagues in the Senate and the House, 
the FCC, and others on these issues. We will pursue permanent 
solutions. Chairman Martin and the FCC members deserve credit for 
having acted so rapidly to deal with the disaster-related issues before 
us today.
  I thank the Chair and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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