[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10021-H10023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DIGITAL AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY 
                        OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2007

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 694) to establish a digital and wireless network technology 
program, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 694

       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 ``Minority Serving Institution 
     Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

       Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
     of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is amended by inserting the 
     following after subsection (b):
       ``(c) Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless 
     Technology Opportunity Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Minority 
     Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
     Opportunity Program to assist eligible institutions in 
     acquiring, and augmenting their use of, digital and wireless 
     networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery 
     of educational services at eligible institutions.
       ``(2) Authorized activities.--An eligible institution may 
     use a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract awarded under 
     this subsection--
       ``(A) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking 
     capability, hardware and software, digital network 
     technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure to 
     further the objective of the Program described in paragraph 
     (1);
       ``(B) to develop and provide training, education, and 
     professional development programs, including faculty 
     development, to increase the use of, and usefulness of, 
     digital and wireless networking technology;
       ``(C) to provide teacher education, including the provision 
     of preservice teacher training and in-service professional 
     development at eligible institutions, library and media 
     specialist training, and preschool and teacher aid 
     certification to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance 
     technology skills in order to use digital and wireless 
     networking technology in the classroom or instructional 
     process, including instruction in science, mathematics, 
     engineering, and technology subjects;
       ``(D) to obtain capacity-building technical assistance, 
     including through remote technical support, technical 
     assistance workshops, and distance learning services; and
       ``(E) to foster the use of digital and wireless networking 
     technology to improve research and education, including 
     scientific, mathematics, engineering, and technology 
     instruction.
       ``(3) Application and review procedures.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract under this subsection, an 
     eligible institution shall submit an application to the 
     Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary may require. Such application, 
     at a minimum, shall include a description of how the funds 
     will be used, including a description of any digital and 
     wireless networking technology to be acquired, and a 
     description of how the institution will ensure that digital 
     and wireless networking will be made accessible to, and 
     employed by, students, faculty, and administrators. The 
     Secretary, consistent with subparagraph (C) and in 
     consultation with the advisory council established under 
     subparagraph (B), shall establish procedures to review such 
     applications. The Secretary shall publish the application 
     requirements and review criteria in the Federal Register, 
     along with a statement describing the availability of funds.
       ``(B) Advisory council.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     advisory council to advise the Secretary on the best 
     approaches to encourage maximum participation by eligible 
     institutions in the program established under paragraph (1), 
     and on the procedures to review proposals submitted to the 
     program. In selecting the members of the advisory council, 
     the Secretary shall consult with representatives of 
     appropriate organizations, including representatives of 
     eligible institutions, to ensure that the membership of the 
     advisory council includes representatives of minority 
     businesses and eligible institution communities. The 
     Secretary shall also consult with experts in digital and 
     wireless networking technology to ensure that such expertise 
     is represented on the advisory council.
       ``(C) Review panels.--Each application submitted under this 
     subsection by an eligible institution shall be reviewed by a 
     panel of individuals selected by the Secretary to judge the 
     quality and merit of the proposal, including the extent to 
     which the eligible institution can effectively and 
     successfully utilize the proposed grant, cooperative 
     agreement, or contract to carry out the program described in 
     paragraph (1). The Secretary shall ensure that the review 
     panels include representatives of minority serving 
     institutions and others who are knowledgeable about eligible 
     institutions and technology issues. The Secretary shall 
     ensure that no individual assigned under this subsection to 
     review any application has a conflict of interest with regard 
     to that application. The Secretary shall take into 
     consideration the recommendations of the review panel in 
     determining whether to award a grant, cooperative agreement, 
     or contract to an eligible institution.
       ``(D) Information dissemination.--The Secretary shall 
     convene an annual meeting of eligible institutions receiving 
     grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts under this 
     subsection to foster collaboration and capacity-building 
     activities among eligible institutions.
       ``(E) Matching requirement.--The Secretary may not award a 
     grant, cooperative agreement, or contract to an eligible 
     institution under this subsection unless such institution 
     agrees that, with respect to the costs incurred by the 
     institution in carrying out the program for which the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract was awarded, such 
     institution shall make available, directly, or through 
     donations from public or private entities, non-Federal 
     contributions in an amount equal to one-quarter of the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract awarded by the Secretary, 
     or $500,000, whichever is the lesser amount. The Secretary 
     shall waive the matching requirement for any institution or 
     consortium with no endowment, or an endowment that has a 
     current dollar value lower than $50,000,000.
       ``(F) Awards.--
       ``(i) Limitation.--An eligible institution that receives a 
     grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this 
     subsection that exceeds $2,500,000 shall not be eligible to 
     receive another grant, cooperative agreement, or contract.
       ``(ii) Consortia.--Grants, cooperative agreements, and 
     contracts may only be awarded to eligible institutions. 
     Eligible institutions may seek funding under this subsection 
     for consortia which may include other eligible institutions, 
     a State or a State education agency, local education 
     agencies, institutions of higher education, community-based 
     organizations, national nonprofit organizations, or 
     businesses, including minority businesses.
       ``(iii) Planning grants.--The Secretary may provide funds 
     to develop strategic plans

[[Page H10022]]

     to implement such grants, cooperative agreements, or 
     contracts.
       ``(iv) Institutional diversity.--In awarding grants, 
     cooperative agreements, and contracts to eligible 
     institutions, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent 
     practicable, that awards are made to all types of 
     institutions eligible for assistance under this subsection.
       ``(v) Need.--In awarding funds under this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to the institution with the 
     greatest demonstrated need for assistance.
       ``(G) Annual report and evaluation.--
       ``(i) Annual report required from recipients.--Each 
     institution that receives a grant, cooperative agreement, or 
     contract awarded under this subsection shall provide an 
     annual report to the Secretary on its use of the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract.
       ``(ii) Independent assessment.--Not later than 6 months 
     after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of 
     Public Administration to conduct periodic assessments of the 
     program. The Assessments shall be conducted once every 3 
     years during the 10-year period following the enactment of 
     this subsection. The assessments shall include an evaluation 
     of the effectiveness of the program in improving the 
     education and training of students, faculty and staff at 
     eligible institutions that have been awarded grants, 
     cooperative agreements, or contracts under the program; an 
     evaluation of the effectiveness of the program in improving 
     access to, and familiarity with, digital and wireless 
     networking technology for students, faculty, and staff at all 
     eligible institutions; an evaluation of the procedures 
     established under paragraph (3)(A); and recommendations for 
     improving the program, including recommendations concerning 
     the continuing need for Federal support. In carrying out its 
     assessments, the National Academy of Public Administration 
     shall review the reports submitted to the Secretary under 
     clause (i).
       ``(iii) Report to congress.--Upon completion of each 
     independent assessment carried out under clause (ii), the 
     Secretary shall transmit the assessment to Congress along 
     with a summary of the Secretary's plans, if any, to implement 
     the recommendations of the National Academy of Public 
     Administration.
       ``(H) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(i) Digital and wireless networking technology.--The term 
     `digital and wireless networking technology' means computer 
     and communications equipment and software that facilitates 
     the transmission of information in a digital format.
       ``(ii) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
     institution' means an institution that is--

       ``(I) a historically Black college or university that is a 
     part B institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)), an 
     institution described in section 326(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C) of 
     that Act (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C)), or a 
     consortium of institutions described in this subparagraph;
       ``(II) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in 
     section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
       ``(III) a tribally controlled college or university, as 
     defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3));
       ``(IV) an Alaska Native-serving institution under section 
     317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059d(b));
       ``(V) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution under section 
     317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059d(b)); or
       ``(VI) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1067k)) with an enrollment of needy students (as defined in 
     section 312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1058(d)).

       ``(iii) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).
       ``(iv) Local educational agency.--The term `local 
     educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 
     9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       ``(v) Minority business.--The term `minority business' 
     includes HUBZone small business concerns (as defined in 
     section 3(p) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(p)).
       ``(vi) Minority individual.--The term `minority individual' 
     means an American Indian, Alaskan Native, Black (not of 
     Hispanic origin), Hispanic (including persons of Mexican, 
     Puerto Rican, Cuban and Central or South American origin), or 
     Pacific Islander individual.
       ``(vii) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       ``(viii) State educational agency.--The term `State 
     educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 
     9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7801).''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce to carry out section 5(c) of the Stevenson-Wydler 
     Technology Innovation Act of 1980--
       (1) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
       (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal 
     years 2009 through 2012.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 694, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution 
Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act of 2007.
  This bill creates a program to improve computer networks at minority-
serving educational institutions. The program will award cost-shared 
grants to eligible campuses to buy networking equipment and train 
students and teachers in how to use it. The grants will be awarded by 
the Secretary of Commerce, and the program will be reviewed by the 
National Academy of Public Administration every 3 years.
  In today's digital world, computer networks are a key part of the 
educational experience. But many campuses, especially minority-serving 
institutions, do not have the resources to build those networks on 
their own. That hurts the students and makes them less prepared to find 
jobs when they graduate. H.R. 694 will help fix that problem and enable 
many students to get the skills they need to compete in the digital 
economy. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on H.R. 694, the 
Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2007, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The legislation has been an initiative of my colleague, Mr. Forbes, 
for several years and I congratulate him and Representative Towns and 
my colleague, Representative Johnson, on getting the legislation 
brought to the floor for a vote.
  The bill requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide 
grants to increase the use of digital and wireless networking 
technology for institutions of higher education that primarily serve 
minorities.
  Having been on the board of a minority institution in Texas for many 
years, I like the intent of the legislation and I want to say a few 
words about it. The grants may be used for training, education and 
professional development programs to increase the use of digital and 
wireless technology or to obtain capacity-building technical assistance 
and distance learning services.
  Additionally, the grants may be used to foster the use of digital and 
wireless networking technology to improve research and education, 
including scientific mathematics, engineering and technology 
instruction.
  H.R. 694 will help to provide grants to promote crucial development 
and educational programs for minority-serving institutions. It will 
help to ensure that minority students will not fall behind in education 
on critical digital and wireless networking technology. It will also 
help to ensure access to the technology and the training programs on 
the use of these technologies.
  While I am a longtime supporter of grants to improve education and 
training on digital and wireless networking technology, and I commend 
my colleagues on this very important initiative, I would be a little 
bit remiss if I didn't raise some concerns about the process of 
bringing this bill up and the price tag associated with it.
  The bill was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology in 
February of this year and received an additional referral to the 
Committee on Education and Labor in June of this year; yet neither of 
these committees has had a chance to really review the legislation and 
to hold hearings and to go through the markup process. I am a strong 
believer in proper order and the

[[Page H10023]]

important role that committees of jurisdiction play to make 
improvements to legislation.
  In addition to my concerns about the process, I am concerned about 
the authorization levels in the bill and the fact that it does not 
contain any opportunities for grants for rural colleges and 
universities which experience similar equipment shortages and could 
benefit from the use of distance learning.
  The bill authorizes $250 million for fiscal year 2008 and then such 
sums as may be necessary from 2009 to 2012. There is no CBO score, but 
I think we can look at the authorization levels and determine that this 
is a lot of money for a very limited group of institutions.
  Despite these feelings and despite these problems, and because of my 
longtime support of these types of programs, I will be supporting the 
passage of the bill and will vote for it, but I hope my colleagues on 
the other side of the aisle will address my concerns and the concerns 
others have as we move forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and 
I ask the gentleman if he has any other speakers.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to conclude by thanking my 
colleague from Texas. This has truly been a bipartisan bill. I want to 
sing the praises of Congressman Towns from New York for his steadfast 
leadership on this and Mr. Forbes' leadership prior to that. I urge a 
``yes'' vote for passage of this fine piece of legislation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of 
the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act 
of 2007. This bill authorizes grants to Minority Serving Institutions 
for technology improvements and infrastructure. Given the large gap in 
technology between MSI campuses and other American universities, this 
legislation is critical to improving MSI's educational advancements.
  It is important to note that MSI's educational contributions are 
significant. For example, in 2000 at least 40 percent of all African 
American students who received a baccalaureate degree in physics, 
chemistry, astronomy, environmental sciences, mathematics and biology 
graduated from a historically Black college and university. Given their 
contributions to our society, we must do all we can to make sure that 
MSIs receive the most modern technology to keep up with other 
universities.
  Unfortunately, at the current time, there is a ``digital divide'' 
between MSIs and other schools in technology infrastructure and 
programming. Less than half of the students attending Minority Serving 
Institutions own computers. Sadly, the majority of historically Black 
colleges and universities do not provide high speed access to the 
Internet [according to a Feb. 2004 report by the Alliance for Equity in 
Higher Education]. We also see this trend in minority communities 
around the country. Over 60 percent of the U.S. population uses the 
Internet at home, while only 46 percent of African Americans and 37 
percent of Hispanics have Internet access at home [according to a Feb. 
2004 report by the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education].
  The Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act 
of 2007 will help eliminate the technological disparities at MSIs by 
establishing a grant program. These grants will help MSIs purchase 
equipment, make upgrades and improve their technology infrastructure as 
well as provide technology education services. In addition, these 
grants will promote the use of information communications technology to 
strengthen engineering, math and science research.
  I would like to thank Mr. Towns and Mr. Forbes for their efforts to 
bring this bill before Congress and their commitment to rectify this 
disparity. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 694.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 694, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________