The E9-1-1 Institute and NENA Host
4th Annual 9-1-1 Honors Gala
March 13, 2007
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Federal Leader Award
Senator Bill Nelson

This award recognizes extraordinary leadership to advance the capabilities of 9-1-1 emergency communications at the federal level.   This year, we are recognizing two outstanding lawmakers who have taken on the cause of ensuring that 9-1-1 services are available with the latest communications technologies.

Florida’s Senator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut, is currently serving his second term in the United States Senate where he sits on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Following a tragedy involving the death of a baby girl in his home state of Florida because her parent’s VoIP phone was unable to provide proper 911 support, Senator Nelson began a tremendous E9-1-1 advancement advocacy campaign which culminated in him becoming the original Senate sponsor of the I.P. Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act.   This bill became one of the most important pieces of E9-1-1 related legislation in the 109th Congress and would ensure that all VOIP 9-1-1 calls are routed to the appropriate public safety answering points, so that lives can be saved. 

Senator Nelson has also been a tireless advocate for securing federal funding for PSAPs and he has fought to ensure that 9-1-1 services are considered an essential component of our nation’s homeland security priorities.

Senator Nelson worked tirelessly in the 109th Congress and continues through today to advance policy goals consistent with the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus and the greater 9-1-1 Community.