[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION BY CONGRESSWOMAN JANE HARMAN FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY 
                  BROADBAND AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

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                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that takes 
a modest but essential step toward solving our Nation's emergency 
communications crisis.
  For over 6 years, I have worked passionately to prevent a tragic 
repetition of the communications problems that led to the deaths of 
hundreds of first responders on 9/11--namely, the lack of an 
interoperable network that would have allowed police and firefighters 
in the twin towers to communicate with each other. This issue has been 
one of my highest priorities as a policymaker.
  In recent years, Congress has appropriated grant funds for first 
responder communications and freed 24 MHz of new spectrum for public 
safety use. But our efforts have fallen short. Police, fire, and 
emergency medical service agencies across the country still rely on a 
balkanized patchwork of aging radio systems that hampers interagency 
coordination and puts lives at risk.
  This year is our best chance, and maybe our last chance for years, to 
change our emergency communications landscape with a single, 
interoperable network for all of our Nation's brave first responders.
  Next February, the DTV transition will free valuable broadcast 
spectrum in the 700 MHz band. Last year, the Federal Communications 
Commission designed an innovative auction for a block of this spectrum. 
The winner of the so-called ``D'' block would be required to build a 
nationwide, wireless broadband network to serve both commercial and 
public safety users.
  This sensible, market-based approach recognized that public safety 
agencies are cut off from the advances of the 21st century, plagued by 
the lack of a national communications platform and chronically short of 
funding. The FCC envisioned a public-private partnership to provide 
state-of-the-art technology to public safety users and fund a multi-
billion dollar public safety network with private capital.
  Unfortunately, the D block failed to attract a winning bid. In the 
aftermath of that failure, we have learned much about the flaws of the 
first auction and what we must do to get it right the second time. The 
FCC is now laying the groundwork for a new auction that I fervently 
hope will lead to a successful shared network.
  Congress should be involved in this process and ensure that the 
Public Safety Broadband Licensee, the not-for-profit entity 
representing public safety in this partnership, is an independent and 
effective voice for first responders.
  The legislation I introduce today will start a conversation about how 
to achieve that goal. It authorizes $4 million--a modest, interim 
funding stream--to help the FCC establish this new interoperable 
network and allows the FCC to grant part of these funds to the Public 
Safety Broadband Licensee to cover its administrative and operational 
costs.
  My legislation includes requirements to ensure transparency and 
promote vigorous oversight by both Congress and the FCC. It prohibits 
the Public Safety Broadband Licensee from accepting third-party funds 
after receiving FCC grants and from using government funding to repay 
outstanding debts. The bill also mandates strict reporting requirements 
to the FCC and Congress.
  On 9/11, hundreds of firefighters and police officers died at the 
World Trade Center, in part because of their hopelessly impaired 
communications systems. Sadly, nearly 7 years later, public safety 
agencies still struggle with the exact same problem.
  The D block auction is our best chance to solve the interoperability 
crisis that will plague our response to the next natural disaster or 
terrorist attack. Congress should act now to ensure its success.

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