Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, Codification Act.
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, is the premier engineering laboratory of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Among its many responsibilities, ITS manages various technology development programs for NTIA and the Department of Commerce and oversees cutting-edge studies concerning the use of our country's airwaves. ITS has played a significant role in furthering telecommunication advancements for our country's benefit.
H.R. 1343 recognizes the numerous contributions of ITS by providing it with additional statutory authority. Under this legislation, ITS will serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government. It will be charged with studying the use of innovative sharing technologies for our airwaves and improving the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum.
The legislation also will allow the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the head of the ITS, to enter into agreements needed to carry out the functions of the laboratory.
This bill also requires the Assistant Secretary to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies. These technologies will then be used to locate people trapped in areas where mobile connectivity may not be available due to natural disasters and other devastating events.
I commend Representatives Pettersen and Carter for their bipartisan work on this bill. It will ensure that one of our Nation's key telecommunications facilities has the necessary tools and resources to not only continue its work but also expand its activities.
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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that, as I mentioned, unanimously passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee last month. It is important.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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