Waiving Points of Order Against Conference Report on H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, ...
WAIVING POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1268, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF ACT, 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 13, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005
Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference agreement for the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. I wish to commend the conferees for their work in bringing this important legislation to the House floor. The funding provided by this bill not only helps insure that our military will have the resources and capabilities necessary to prevail in the global war on terror, but it also supports the Pentagon's important R&D programs.
I recently noted concerns published by two former defense officials over possible reductions in future defense advanced technology development. While I am confident that this Administration and the Congress will continue to provide ample funding for the military's R&D programs, it is important to underscore how these programs help incubate technologies with important military applications being developed by small companies.
My Congressional district has a number of small companies with innovative new technologies that promise significant benefits to the military. Three of these companies have developed technologies that offer good examples of private initiatives ready to be advanced for military use in partnership with the Defense Department. The funding in this bill will make this partnership possible.
One company, Zebra Imaging, has developed a 3-D hologram technology that now produces three-dimensional imagery of battlefield information imagery for military planning and reconnaissance purposes. The first of these imaging systems is now being deployed by the Army for use in Iraq, with a second system planned. Several defense R&D programs are assessing advanced applications of this technology for the future warfighter.
A second company, Teravicta Technologies, has engineered advanced radio frequency microelectro-mechanical (RF MEMS) switches and relays that provide much greater efficiency and performance in military electronics and communications systems, such as radar and satellite communications, as well as cell phones and other mobile wireless devices.
Pinion Software, the third example, is developing a simple system for securing sensitive data stored in and transmitted by wireless mobile devices. The widespread and growing military use of wireless handheld devices and laptop computers has an accompanying security threat that is increasingly serious and will be protected by this technology.
These and other promising new technologies are fostered by the R&D programs funded by this bill and other defense appropriations. I urge the continued support of technologies as described here, which will provide the military important new capabilities.
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