    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [October 26, 1999]
    [Pages 1885-1886]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act
    of 1999
    October 26, 1999

        Today I am pleased to sign into law the Wireless Communications and
    Public Safety Act of 1999. By making it easier to use wireless phones to
    report emergencies, this bill could save thousands of lives every year.
        Nearly 100,000 times each day, someone uses a wireless phone to make
    an emergency call. People with wireless phones can speed the delivery of
    public safety services by providing rapid reports of car crashes,
    incidents of aggressive or drunk driving, serious crimes, and natural
    disasters. Getting rapid care to someone who is suffering from a heart
    attack or is involved in a car crash can mean the difference between
    life and death.

    [[Page 1886]]

        The legislation I am signing today will improve emergency wireless
    communications in several ways. First, it will make 9-1-1 the universal
    emergency telephone number for wireless and ``wireline'' telephones
    across the United States. Currently, there are 20 different emergency
    wireless numbers in different States. Second, it will encourage
    statewide coordination of the efforts of public safety and law
    enforcement officials to protect our citizens and save lives. Finally,
    it will increase private sector investment in emergency wireless
    services by providing wireless companies with the same level of
    liability protection that ``wireline'' telecommunications companies
    have.
        I want to thank Members of Congress, the wireless industry, public
    safety officials, and medical professionals who worked together to pass
    this important legislation.

    Note: S. 800, approved October 26, was assigned Public Law No. 106-81.