George Allen

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. I ask unanimous consent that the distinguished senior Senator from Virginia and I be recognized for a time not to exceed 20 minutes to engage in a colloquy, and that it be charged against the time of the majority.

Mr. ALLEN. Madam President, I join with my colleague, Senator Warner, on this sad day, not just for America but for the world. It is a day on which we commemorate and honor the lives of the seven courageous astronauts. We are joined together in honoring the lives of these courageous individuals who dedicated their lives and decided to use their talents to reach high; to reach for high ideals, and who assumed the risks of these dangers in a very noble effort to improve our quality of life here on Earth. This is a day of admiration. It is a day of inspiration for us and for the NASA people who care so much about this tragedy, the loss of these heroes. We all watched in horror as they were trying to come back into our atmosphere. The tragic disaster was more than just a loss for us in the United States, but it was a loss for the entire world community--whose diversity, ingenuity, and skill are reflected in the members of this historic crew. Our hearts ache for the grieving but amazingly brave families of these heroes who perished in this catastrophic failure. As we go through the list of those on the shuttle we see Rick Husband, Commander; Pilot William McCool; Michael Anderson; CDR Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark; Mission Specialist Ilan Ramon of Israel; and David M. Brown, Mission Specialist 1 and Navy captain from Arlington, VA, a Virginia resident, born and raised in Virginia, he went to college at the College of William and Mary after attending Yorktown High School, and was graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. Our thoughts and prayers are with all these families. But for my colleagues to get to know the character of these families, where they came from, it is important that I share with you my conversation with David's brother Doug. David's brother was the only family member who was waiting for him when he was to land in Florida. It is a family of achievers. His father--it would have been very difficult for him to get down there because his father is in a wheelchair. His father contracted polio at the age of 5. It never deterred him. He became a judge. He campaigned, somehow, door to door, and then was appointed as a circuit court judge, where he served honorably and expertly for 20 years, watching a great deal of growth and transformation in Northern Virginia. David's brother Doug, with whom I spoke today, is a hero and character in his own sense. He went to West Virginia University. I said: Why did you leave Virginia to go to West Virginia? And he said they have a great target shooting program there. He himself was a two- time All-American. It is a family of achievers. Doug talked about family, not just his family but the NASA family; about this crew and how this flight was delayed time after time; one time because they were sending up another mission to fix the Hubble. Another time there was a delay because of repair of the fuel lines. So the family became closer. By the time they were actually able to launch and go off on their mission, they had become very close. We talked about various things. I asked him a question about what could we do to help? Is there anything we can do to comfort you or to comfort your family? What he said is that NASA and the Navy Casualty Assistance Crews were great. Everything possible was being done for them. He talked about how NASA had such noble goals, trying to expand the knowledge of mankind, and said they are the best of mankind. Doug said his brother David understood that everyone was taking risks. We talked about how Navy pilots and test pilots over the years have lost their lives, some trying to land on a pitching aircraft carrier. He said those folks are heroes as well, and they don't get the attention these individuals received. I asked Doug how his recent conversations with David. Doug said that he recently asked David: Well, what if you don't get back? What should I say? He said his brother told him the program must go on. Not in a careless way, but it needs to move forward. He believed if there was any error and he couldn't get back, it most likely would be a human error, but that he would not hold that against whomever it was involved in that error because he knew everyone was trying to do the best job they could. He talked about NASA, about how they cared about, for example, specifically, one of the culprits or suspected culprits in this tragedy, which was that piece of foam that hit the left wing. His brother--and he communicated with him by e-mail when he was up in space--had actually taken photographs of that wing because they were concerned about it. I said: Did those photographs get back? He said: No, they didn't send those photographs back. But that will be part of the investigation, at least his oral description of the situation. I said: As we are trying to figure this out and trying to learn from it, what would he say? He said: Gosh, you have to understand, George--he said George, not Senator Allen. We are on a friendly basis. He said: You have to understand my brother David was a football player. He was an offensive lineman at Yorktown High School. He said: In these sort of things, they use a football analogy. You don't get stopped dead in your tracks. When you get tackled, you get up and you keep trying to score. And Doug, his brother, said they used to make fun of David, that no one ever paid any attention to an offensive lineman. They were trying to rub it in. No one knew of his football prowess. David retorted that no one else had Katie Couric cheering for him like she did at Yorktown High School. Today, David, everyone is cheering for you. We are aching for your wonderful family and your friends. We know the noble mission that you have been on, and others will be on in the future, will continue as you desired. We will reconstruct the facts. We are determined to get up. We are determined to learn. We will not quit. We will keep fighting. In fact, we will keep improving, we will keep innovating, and we will keep advancing. David Brown was a hero, and these surviving families are heroic individuals as well. As we go forward, we will learn. But we also will pray to God that we continue to be blessed, in this country and the world, with people of such courage and especially people of such great character. I would like to yield to the distinguished senior Senator from Virginia, Mr. Warner.

Mr. ALLEN. I thank the Senator.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. For the information of Senators, tomorrow the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12:30 p.m. Members who have not yet had the opportunity to make statements regarding the Columbia tragedy are encouraged to do so tomorrow morning. I would expect that on Wednesday, the Senate will consider a resolution related to the Shuttle Columbia. As a reminder, under a previous agreement, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the nomination of Miguel Estrada for the DC Court of Appeals tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. Members, therefore, should anticipate the possibility of votes during tomorrow's session.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 5. I further ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and there then be a period of morning business until 12:30 p.m. with the time equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. tomorrow for the weekly party lunches.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 43, which was introduced earlier today by Majority Leader Frist.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of John Snow, a proven leader with a reputation of a winner, and President Bush's nominee for U.S. Treasury Secretary. John Snow is someone I know well and a proud resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In nominating John Snow, President Bush has brilliantly chosen the best person in America for the vital position of Secretary of the Treasury. There are few Americans with the knowledge of diverse U.S. and international economies--manufacturing, mining, automobile, electric, agriculture--trade, transportation modes--rail, ports, barges--and hands-on track record of creating jobs that John has developed over the last three decades. John Snow is a man of positive action and the right person to help President Bush create greater job opportunities for all Americans. He will be a respected and articulate leader for the principles of trusting people and free enterprise to do what they do best--create new and better jobs. His prior service in Federal Government helps him as well. John Snow understands how government operates and how government can help or hinder job growth. I have known John and Carolyn Snow for many years, and have relied on John's insight, experience and wisdom often over those years. While I served as Governor of Virginia, John gave extensively of his time to help us shape a plan that successfully revived Virginia's economy and resulted in the creation of a record number of new jobs. He continues to be a trusted adviser on economic and transportation issues. When John came to Richmond in the early 1980s, the city was still suffering the lingering consequences of the past, and a very contentious period in the 1970s. Richmond had just elected its first African-American mayor. During this time, John stepped forward to help bridge the gap between the past and the future. He was a founding member of Richmond Renaissance, an organization dedicated to promoting racial equality in downtown Richmond. He was appointed by the new mayor to the city of Richmond school board. He became a member of the board of Virginia Union, a historically black college in Richmond. He is a Renaissance man--educated in law and economics at the University of Virginia, government and business, and a professor. A Renaissance man who can convincingly and reasonably articulate the need for positive action. John Snow has been successful in business because he knows that a growing economy is one that enables every working man and woman to have an opportunity to benefit from their hard work, their creativity and their ingenuity. With his confirmation, all of America will soon come to trust and rely on John Snow's considerable knowledge and experience as I and so many grateful Virginians have over the years.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Wyoming for his leadership. I rise in support of his amendment, and, as the Senator from Ohio said, in opposition to the amendment of the Senator from Maryland. My friends and colleagues, we need to always, as a government, be looking at new ways of adopting innovation and have improvements-- whether it is our national security or homeland defense. There are many ideas, many systems, and many programs in the private sector that can perform more efficiently and better for the American people. We need to examine those. I think the Bush administration's proposal is very modest and reasonable, and it is supported by a variety of private sector groups. The Mikulski amendment is opposed by a broad range of organizations, such as the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Professional Services Council, the Contract Services Association, and many others. For small businesses, large businesses, disadvantaged businesses, minority-owned businesses, let us care about the jobs in the private sector. Let us also care about those governmental services that are essential for our security, but let us make what we are procuring the best for all Americans. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment of Senator Thomas and oppose the amendment of the Senator from Maryland.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the Mikulski amendment. As we focus on this after having previously accepted the amendment of the Senator from Wyoming, let me share with my colleagues the views of people who would be affected by this in the private sector. The Information Technology Association of America recognizes that as a result of this amendment, rather than promote competition and better management of the Federal Government, the Bush administration would face restrictions. There are many companies in the ITAA. There are large companies, some small startups, as well as industry leaders in software and the Internet. All of these companies would be denied opportunities or hampered by this amendment and therefore urge us to vote no. Other associations, such as the Northern Virginia Technology Council, which consists of 1,600 members and 180,000 employees, urge us to vote no as well. Bobbie Kilberg, the president, says this amendment would significantly limit private sector involvement and discourage competition vital to the technology community. The Contract Services Association of America, an industry representative for private sector companies that provide services to the Federal, State, and local governments--they include small disadvantaged businesses, Native American-owned businesses, section 8(a)-certified companies--wants to have those folks working for the public good. The Professional Services Council recognizes that we want to hold the executive branch responsible for efficient management of services and looks at this amendment as one that would harm the ability of the administration to do so. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States looks at this issue in a way with which I agree, and that is, that this is the time to create more efficient and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, not to restrict policies that limit funding or flexibility in sourcing and decisionmaking processes. We talk about homeland security. It is very important. Many wonderful public servants will be involved in homeland security, but what is really going to help homeland security is the adaptation, the utilization of technologies from enterprise services that allow them to analyze the volumes of information, share it within those agencies, also with other agencies in a secure way, and with State and local governments. It is important that in this time when we are worrying about the cost of Government and worrying about the taxpayers, we should not be limiting the ability of our Government to respond to changing economic and security needs of the American people. While I understand the heartfelt sincerity of the Senator from Maryland, I think there are a lot of people we need to be worried about, and let's make sure we are providing the very best of services to the people of this country. Competition has always been good. It has made it better. Let's adapt, let's innovate, and let's move forward in a principled way. I ask my colleagues to defeat this amendment. I thank the Chair. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, how much time is remaining?

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Wyoming, Mr. Thomas, for his leadership. I will not repeat his eloquent explanation of the FAIR Act. I am rising with him, and hopefully with a majority of our colleagues, in opposition to Senator Mikulski's amendment which would prohibit the administration from applying and enforcing efforts to get the private sector involved where it is appropriate in various governmental services. This amendment would weaken the executive branch's ability to manage the Federal Government. It would impede improvement of many of the Government's significant commercial activities and prevent the outsourcing of inherently nongovernmental jobs to the private sector. It really would be one of anti-efficiency. I think the Bush management plan has a relatively modest goal of injecting some competition to the commercial activities performed by the Government. I believe we ought to be encouraging, not impeding, public-private competition reviews. Clearly, the President ought to have the flexibility to best execute governmental functions and to enforce important management objectives and goals, specifically in the area of competitive sourcing. The fact that they look at potentially competitive areas each year doesn't mean that these jobs will go to the private sector. It only means that there will be an analysis. It may be that the Government functions at less cost and with better service and efficiency than the private sector. They also realize even if the Government continues to perform a service or function that there are better ways of doing it. We will need to be looking at ways of improving, of innovating, of adapting and not just keep doing things the same old way. This amendment is opposed by large and small business enterprises all across the country. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is opposed to this, whose letter I will submit along with my statement. For example, they state the time is now to create a more efficient and effective partnership between the public and private sectors and not to enact restrictive policies that limit funding, flexibility, and the decisionmaking process. We also have received letters from the Professional Services Council which represents 140 different businesses--the CADI, Northrup-Grumman, Lockheed, Quest, and many others. They point to what we all recognize as the truth. Competition is the greatest and the best guarantor of optimal performance and efficiency, and the Government's increasing reliance on competition has proven essential to achieving both meaningful savings and significant performance improvements. Also, the Northern Virginia Technology Council that represents 1,600 member companies with 180,000 employees in Northern Virginia, is opposed to this. The Information Technology Association of America, which represents 400 corporate technology companies, is opposed to it. In addition, there is a coalition on outsourcing and privatization made up of small, minority, and women-owned businesses, national security organizations, experts in technology, community, and taxpayer groups that says do not be fooled by the hype and that urges Congress to hold the executive branch responsible for the highest possible level of performance and efficiency without placing procedural obstacles in the way of achieving that goal. The Contract Services Association also points out that many of their members oppose this. Many of their members are small businesses, including eight A-certified companies, small, disadvantaged businesses, and Native American-owned firms. The goal of their Contract Services Association is to put the private sector to work for the public good. I ask unanimous consent that all of these letters be submitted as part of my statement. Perhaps as important as all of these job opportunities is the recognition right now that this could have not only negative economic ramifications, but that it could impact national security as well. Indeed, at a time when our Nation is at war, the Federal Government must have the flexibility to contract out for services. For example, look at the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. What is going to be most useful for the Department of Homeland Security is not where all these boxes are located and who is moved from one place to the other, but the adaptation and the utilization of enterprise systems that will allow them to analyze volumes of information, analyze it accurately, and share it within the institution and also with others. Furthermore, such contracting creates more private sector jobs and allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions, instead of concentrating on commercial activities. I think at this point we need to be working for the taxpayers. We need to be increasing security. And we should be embracing advancements in technology and have the private sector help where they can help. Therefore, I suggest that no member of this body should support legislation that increases the cost of government for taxpayers while limiting the government's ability to respond to the changing economic and security needs of the American people. I ask unanimous consent that the letters to which I referred be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Madam President, I want to make it clear, the Senator states that the pilots union, all labor, all management, are in agreement with this amendment to try to help save this airline and help save those jobs and the service to the communities that are served by US Airways; is that correct?

Mr. ALLEN. Madam President, I ask the Senator from Pennsylvania, his amendment as best I understand it--and this is for the benefit of other Senators to understand the purpose of the amendment--the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, interpreted the law and felt that they had not accorded what management and labor wanted in the restructuring of pensions, and the purpose of the amendment is, in a permissive manner, to allow those directors to make that determination where right now in their legal opinion they do not have that authority. The point is, this is permissive as opposed to mandatory or dictating that they must accept?

Mr. ALLEN. One final question. This applies only to this agreement that has to do with US Airways, labor and management. It should not have any impact whatsoever on any other airline; is that correct?

Mr. ALLEN. Madam President, will the Senator from Pennsylvania yield for a series of questions?

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, today I rise with my colleagues--Senators McCain, Stevens, Hollings and Miller to introduce the Digital & Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003. Access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Because of the rapid advancement and growing dependence on technology, being digitally connected becomes more essential to economic and educational advancement. 60 percent of all jobs require information technology skills and jobs in information technology pay significantly higher salaries than jobs in non-information technology fields. People who lack access to information technology tools are at an increasing disadvantage. Consequently, it is important that all institutions of higher education provide their students with access to the most current information technology and digital equipment. As Governor of Virginia, I implemented a technology plan that created a blueprint of technology resources throughout the Virginia Community College System, VCCS. All 38 community college campuses are wired and each community college has a dedicated Commonwealth Classroom for compressed video distance education classes. Arrangements with Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, Virginia Tech and other institutions are offering senior level courses through distance education that actually take place on the community college campus. Minority Serving Institutions, however, still lack basic information and digital technology infrastructure. A study completed by the Department of Commerce and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education showed that most Historically Black Colleges and Universities do not have high-speed Internet access, and only 3 percent of these colleges and universities indicated that financial aid was available to help their students close the computer ownership gap, the digital divide. The Digital & Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003 seeks to address the technology gap that exists at many Minority Serving Institutions, MSIs. Our legislation establishes a new grant program within the National Science Foundation, NSF, that provides up to $250 million to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges bridge the digital divide. The legislation allows eligible institutions the opportunity through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology and wireless technology/infrastructure, such as wireless fidelity or WiFi, to develop and provide educational services. Additionally, the grants could be used for such activities as equipment upgrades, technology training and hardware/software acquisition. A Minority Serving Institution also could use the funds to offer its students universal access to campus networks, dramatically increase their connectivity rates, or make necessary infrastructure improvements. Virginia has five Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Hampton University, Norfolk State University, St. Paul's College, Virginia Union University and Virginia State University. The best jobs in the future will go to those who are the best prepared. However, I am increasingly concerned that when it comes to high technology jobs which pay higher wages this country runs the risk of economically limiting many college students in our society. It is important for ALL Americans that we close this opportunity gap. Since my election to the Senate, my goal has always been to continue the work that I began as Governor, to look for ways to improve education, create jobs and seek out new opportunities to benefit Virginia and its citizens. By improving technology-education programs, we can accomplish all three for students throughout our nation. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me today cosponsoring this legislation and look forward to working with fellow Senators to push this important measure across the goal-line so that many more college students are provided access to better technology and education, and most importantly, even greater opportunities in life. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, today I rise with my colleagues--Senators McCain, Stevens, Hollings and Miller to introduce the Digital & Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003. Access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Because of the rapid advancement and growing dependence on technology, being digitally connected becomes more essential to economic and educational advancement. 60 percent of all jobs require information technology skills and jobs in information technology pay significantly higher salaries than jobs in non-information technology fields. People who lack access to information technology tools are at an increasing disadvantage. Consequently, it is important that all institutions of higher education provide their students with access to the most current information technology and digital equipment. As Governor of Virginia, I implemented a technology plan that created a blueprint of technology resources throughout the Virginia Community College System, VCCS. All 38 community college campuses are wired and each community college has a dedicated Commonwealth Classroom for compressed video distance education classes. Arrangements with Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, Virginia Tech and other institutions are offering senior level courses through distance education that actually take place on the community college campus. Minority Serving Institutions, however, still lack basic information and digital technology infrastructure. A study completed by the Department of Commerce and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education showed that most Historically Black Colleges and Universities do not have high-speed Internet access, and only 3 percent of these colleges and universities indicated that financial aid was available to help their students close the computer ownership gap, the digital divide. The Digital & Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003 seeks to address the technology gap that exists at many Minority Serving Institutions, MSIs. Our legislation establishes a new grant program within the National Science Foundation, NSF, that provides up to $250 million to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges bridge the digital divide. The legislation allows eligible institutions the opportunity through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology and wireless technology/infrastructure, such as wireless fidelity or WiFi, to develop and provide educational services. Additionally, the grants could be used for such activities as equipment upgrades, technology training and hardware/software acquisition. A Minority Serving Institution also could use the funds to offer its students universal access to campus networks, dramatically increase their connectivity rates, or make necessary infrastructure improvements. Virginia has five Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Hampton University, Norfolk State University, St. Paul's College, Virginia Union University and Virginia State University. The best jobs in the future will go to those who are the best prepared. However, I am increasingly concerned that when it comes to high technology jobs which pay higher wages this country runs the risk of economically limiting many college students in our society. It is important for ALL Americans that we close this opportunity gap. Since my election to the Senate, my goal has always been to continue the work that I began as Governor, to look for ways to improve education, create jobs and seek out new opportunities to benefit Virginia and its citizens. By improving technology-education programs, we can accomplish all three for students throughout our nation. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me today cosponsoring this legislation and look forward to working with fellow Senators to push this important measure across the goal-line so that many more college students are provided access to better technology and education, and most importantly, even greater opportunities in life. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research & Development Act. I want to thank my colleague from Oregon, Senator Wyden, for his leadership on this important issue. I have enjoyed working with Senator Wyden on nanotechnology for the past several years. I would also like to thank the other cosponsors on this legislation, the Senior Senator from Virginia--Mr. Warner, Senators Lieberman, Mikulski, Hollings, Landrieu, Clinton, Levin, and Bayh. Today, our scientists and visionaries are quickly learning that there is a whole New Frontier of promise and human endeavor literally right under our eyes, at the nanoscale, when magnified for us to see. The potential for nanotechnologies and the exciting work taking place in the nanoscience field are by all accounts revolutionary. Nanotechnology is still very much in its infancy, but as the technology matures it will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on our daily lives. Nanoscience is quickly transforming almost every aspect of our modern world and is already significantly improving our quality of life. From computer and electronic devices, to health care and pharmaceuticals, to agriculture, energy and our national defense, nanoscience will be the foundation of many of the revolutionary advances and discoveries in the decades to come and will soon occupy a major portion of the technology economy. Through nanoscience, researchers and scientists are already beginning to develop technologies that years ago were thought to be impossible. Memory and processing chips the size of a sugar cube have the ability to store all the information in our Nation's National Archives and the Library of Congress combined. Nanoscientists are also exploring ways nanomaterials can travel through the human body to detect and cure diseases, such as target cell therapy where limited amounts of chemotherapy drugs can, cell by cell, attack individual cancer cells and leave healthy cells intact. As production and innovation of nanotechnologies becomes easier, faster, more efficient and less costly, every market sector in the economy will begin to feel its impact. The NanoBusiness Alliance estimates that the global market for nanotechnology related products and services will reach more than $225 billion by 2005. The National Science Foundation conservatively predicts a $1 trillion global market in a little over a decade. While nanotechnology is typically defined by size--that is 1 nanometer equaling 1 billionth of a meter--the science of nanotechnology is really the ability to pick and place or manipulate atoms 1/100,000 the width of a human hair, and eventually generate materials with properties that are fundamentally new and superior to the bulk form of the same materials. It is the promise and potential that impels the Congress to act and introduce legislation that assures this Nation remains at the forefront of the nanoscience revolution. The United States has been the leader of virtually every important and transformative technology since the Industrial Revolution, and this legislation ensures we will continue to lead the world in this new frontier. The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research & Development Act authorizes appropriations for the coordination of an interagency and interdisciplinary program to support long-term nanoscale research in the fields of nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanoengineering as part of the National Nanotechnology Research Program. The legislation authorizes $676 million for fiscal year 2004--a 15 percent increase from the President's budget request for fiscal year 2003--in all nine civilian Federal agencies currently conducing nanotechnology research. The goal of the legislation is to provide an organized, structured and collaborative approach to nanotechnology research that will ensure America's leadership and economic competitiveness internationally. This legislation provides grants to support nanoscience research centers that will bring together experts from various disciplines, agencies, industries and universities. I have wanted the Commonwealth of Virginia to recognize nanotechnology as a key element in the future of high technology and economic development and commend the establishment of the Initiative for Nanotechnology in Virginia to serve as a facilitator in the nanoscience community. This legislation takes the work being done at the State level and encourages increased collaboration with State-led initiatives like the one in Virginia as well as universities and industry led projects. As our scientist and researchers adventure boldly into this New Frontier of nanoscience and chart new waters in lands not yet discovered, this legislation will serve as a guide and hopefully a catalyst to the nanotechnology community. The work being done in the nanoscience field is invigorating; it's exciting, and it's important for our future health, the economy and millions of jobs. I hope my colleagues will work with Senator Wyden and me to pass this important legislation in a nanosecond, but recognizing the deliberative process of the Senate, passage in a nanoyear will suffice.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Honorable Carrington Williams, a great Virginian who positively contributed to the Commonweath as both a public servant and a community leader. It was a sad day in Virginia when Carrington Williams passed away on August 3, 2002 at the age of 83. Carrington Williams leaves behind him a legacy of service to Virginia and so many worthy causes. I speak today of Carrington Williams not only from the perspective of a grateful Virginian, but also as someone who is proud to have called Carrington a friend. Carrington Williams was born and died a Virginian. During his life, he served in numerous leadership positions, as well as elected ones. Early in his life, Carrington served the United States in the Army Air Corps. Later on, Mr. Williams was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. What many will remember Carrington for was his tireless commitment to historic preservation. Mr. Williams was the founding Chairman of the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Commission, which later became the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. Every time one sees the many historic battlefields in Virginia, one should be thankful to Carrington for his commitment to preserving our nation's treasures for many future generations to enjoy and reflect upon. In addition to these commitments, Carrington served in the positions of chairman of the board of the Washington Airports Task Force, the Dulles Airport Regional Economic Study Commission, and the Western Transportation Corridor Study Commission, and as a member of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. While our dear Delegate Carrington Williams is no longer here with us, he will always be remembered by the thousands of Virginians touched by his life. I appreciate having the opportunity to honor Carrington and my thoughts are with his wife, Doreen, and his son and stepdaughter who carry on with his blood and spirit.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce and present to my colleagues the Jumpstart Broadband Act of 2003. I am happy to be the lead Republican sponsor of this legislation and I want to thank my colleague from across the aisle, Senator Boxer, for working with me on this positive important issue. The goal of the Jumpstart Broadband Act is to create an environment that embraces innovation and encourages the adoption of next-generation wireless broadband Internet devices. Most important, our legislation will build confidence among consumers, investors and innovators in the telecommunications and technology industries to eventually make the broadband dream a reality. Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the recession in the telecom sector. Analysts estimate that over the last 24 months approximately 500,000 jobs have been lost. Debt loads in the telecommunications sector range from anywhere between $500 billion to $1 trillion dollars. Since 1999 approximately $2 trillion dollars in market value has been lost in the telecom sector. We know that promises of the Internet doubling every 100 days were never realized. Fanciful expectations like these have left this country with Internet bandwidth capacities that no levels of demand can sustain. Unfortunately for investors and the industry the ``if you build it, they will come'' business model did not materialize and is the primary reason the telecom and technology sectors are in a weak economic state. Over this past few years Congress, and specifically the Senate, have been locked in debate over the best approach to promote and encourage widespread broadband adoption. There is no doubt that consumers, businesses and government officials fully recognize the importance of broadband to our communications capabilities and the economy. Indeed, the proliferation of next-generation broadband Internet connections will reinvigorate growth in the technology and telecommunications industries and improve our lives. Economists at the Brookings Institution estimate that widespread, high-speed broadband access would increase the national GDP by $500 billion annually by 2006. Full deployment of broadband will substantially change and significantly impact every aspect of our society. Whether in education, healthcare, commerce, entertainment or government services; broadband deployment is a key aspect to improving this nation's overall economy and competitiveness. However, the current debate over broadband has focused only on two platforms, Digital Subscriber Line, DSL, and cable and the regulatory treatment of those services. This perspective fails to consider that alternative modes or other technologies are available that can jumpstart consumer driven investment and demand in broadband services. I think it is beneficial to shift the policy discussion away from this debate and focus on something positive Congress can do that fosters innovation, stimulates the technology and telecom sectors, and encourages the adoption of broadband services. The Jumpstart Broadband Act seeks to create an environment where alternative modes of broadband communications can be created and deployed into homes, schools, public places and businesses by making more spectrum available for exciting, new unlicensed wireless technologies. In doing so, the legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to set aside an additional 255 megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band for unlicensed broadband devices. This allocation will harmonize wireless devices in the United States with the international allocation in countries like Japan, Brazil, Canada and Europe. The 5 gigahertz band also contains favorable propagation and power levels to provide reliable wireless service. Our legislation also directs the FCC to establish minimum rules of interference protection for devices in that spectrum and to ensure that Department of Defense systems operating in that spectrum are not compromised. Our legislation complements and encourages the exciting work being done in the area of Wireless Local Area Networks, WLANs. Also known as Wireless Fidelity or WiFi, this technology provides wireless broadband service operating in the unlicensed spectrum bank with up to 10 megabits of capacity and an always-on connection. WiFi is a technology driven platform, viewed by many as a possible answer to wire-line limitations and obstacles that exist in the current marketplace. WiFi however is only the beginning and this legislation will create an environment where cognitive radios and dynamic frequency selection of technologies can grow and innovate to offer services that are unimaginable today. While I support a competitive telecommunications environment and have been an advocate for federal deregulation, the Jumpstart Broadband Act of 2003 moves the policy discussion away from this stagnant maginot line battle and offers an alternative invigorating approach that encourages innovation and creates confidence in the market. Providing a way to jump start high speed broadband Internet access through the adoption of wireless broadband devices is vital to helping us keep pace with the new global economy. The benefits to Americans would include more jobs, increased productivity, improved health care delivery, and more accessible education. Our economy needs it, our technology sector needs it, and the American people will benefit from these new and innovative technologies. I have been working together in a bipartisan fashion with Senator Boxer, and I am hopeful by also working with technologists, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Defense, we can move forward to create an alternative that promotes broadband adoption using advances in technology and spectrum efficiency.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce and present to my colleagues the Jumpstart Broadband Act of 2003. I am happy to be the lead Republican sponsor of this legislation and I want to thank my colleague from across the aisle, Senator Boxer, for working with me on this positive important issue. The goal of the Jumpstart Broadband Act is to create an environment that embraces innovation and encourages the adoption of next-generation wireless broadband Internet devices. Most important, our legislation will build confidence among consumers, investors and innovators in the telecommunications and technology industries to eventually make the broadband dream a reality. Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the recession in the telecom sector. Analysts estimate that over the last 24 months approximately 500,000 jobs have been lost. Debt loads in the telecommunications sector range from anywhere between $500 billion to $1 trillion dollars. Since 1999 approximately $2 trillion dollars in market value has been lost in the telecom sector. We know that promises of the Internet doubling every 100 days were never realized. Fanciful expectations like these have left this country with Internet bandwidth capacities that no levels of demand can sustain. Unfortunately for investors and the industry the ``if you build it, they will come'' business model did not materialize and is the primary reason the telecom and technology sectors are in a weak economic state. Over this past few years Congress, and specifically the Senate, have been locked in debate over the best approach to promote and encourage widespread broadband adoption. There is no doubt that consumers, businesses and government officials fully recognize the importance of broadband to our communications capabilities and the economy. Indeed, the proliferation of next-generation broadband Internet connections will reinvigorate growth in the technology and telecommunications industries and improve our lives. Economists at the Brookings Institution estimate that widespread, high-speed broadband access would increase the national GDP by $500 billion annually by 2006. Full deployment of broadband will substantially change and significantly impact every aspect of our society. Whether in education, healthcare, commerce, entertainment or government services; broadband deployment is a key aspect to improving this nation's overall economy and competitiveness. However, the current debate over broadband has focused only on two platforms, Digital Subscriber Line, DSL, and cable and the regulatory treatment of those services. This perspective fails to consider that alternative modes or other technologies are available that can jumpstart consumer driven investment and demand in broadband services. I think it is beneficial to shift the policy discussion away from this debate and focus on something positive Congress can do that fosters innovation, stimulates the technology and telecom sectors, and encourages the adoption of broadband services. The Jumpstart Broadband Act seeks to create an environment where alternative modes of broadband communications can be created and deployed into homes, schools, public places and businesses by making more spectrum available for exciting, new unlicensed wireless technologies. In doing so, the legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to set aside an additional 255 megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band for unlicensed broadband devices. This allocation will harmonize wireless devices in the United States with the international allocation in countries like Japan, Brazil, Canada and Europe. The 5 gigahertz band also contains favorable propagation and power levels to provide reliable wireless service. Our legislation also directs the FCC to establish minimum rules of interference protection for devices in that spectrum and to ensure that Department of Defense systems operating in that spectrum are not compromised. Our legislation complements and encourages the exciting work being done in the area of Wireless Local Area Networks, WLANs. Also known as Wireless Fidelity or WiFi, this technology provides wireless broadband service operating in the unlicensed spectrum bank with up to 10 megabits of capacity and an always-on connection. WiFi is a technology driven platform, viewed by many as a possible answer to wire-line limitations and obstacles that exist in the current marketplace. WiFi however is only the beginning and this legislation will create an environment where cognitive radios and dynamic frequency selection of technologies can grow and innovate to offer services that are unimaginable today. While I support a competitive telecommunications environment and have been an advocate for federal deregulation, the Jumpstart Broadband Act of 2003 moves the policy discussion away from this stagnant maginot line battle and offers an alternative invigorating approach that encourages innovation and creates confidence in the market. Providing a way to jump start high speed broadband Internet access through the adoption of wireless broadband devices is vital to helping us keep pace with the new global economy. The benefits to Americans would include more jobs, increased productivity, improved health care delivery, and more accessible education. Our economy needs it, our technology sector needs it, and the American people will benefit from these new and innovative technologies. I have been working together in a bipartisan fashion with Senator Boxer, and I am hopeful by also working with technologists, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Defense, we can move forward to create an alternative that promotes broadband adoption using advances in technology and spectrum efficiency.