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Congressional Press Releases
November 4, 2003
By HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, SENATOR
Senator Clinton's legislation provides essential incentives and mandates to
ensure rapid implementation of nationwide E911
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed approval today by
the House of Representatives of legislation to improve E911 services and save
lives across the country. In June, Senator Clinton joined with Senator Conrad
Burns (R-MT) to announce the introduction of the Enhanced 911 Emergency Act
of 2003, legislation to provide financial incentives and mandates aimed at
establishing a nationwide E911 network and emergency response infrastructure.
Senator Clinton said that while she believed the Senate version of the legislation
contained several additional provisions that could speed up the implementation
of the urgently needed network, she welcomed passage of the House legislation
as a sign of clear support for the ultimate outcome. "One of the primary
reasons many Americans cite for purchasing a cell phone is the ability to call
911 if they need to. But as we have tragically seen, too many of our response
centers lack the equipment, technology, and resources to respond to an emergency
call made from a cell phone," Senator Clinton said.
"The House vote today is a strong statement of support for the implementation
of a nationwide E911 system. And while I believe that the Senate's version
of the legislation will help us to achieve that goal in even less time, this
vote shows that we have a strong momentum behind us as we fight to get this
system up and running and save lives," Senator Clinton said. "I call
on the Senate Leadership to bring forward consideration of the Clinton- Burns
E911 legislation before the end of year recess."
In February, Senator Clinton joined her congressional colleagues and public
safety organizations to launch the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional E911 Caucus. The Caucus was created to provide a consensus-building forum to elevate
issues surrounding 911 services and implement an agenda that strengthens our
country's ability to better respond and communicate in times of local and national
emergencies. The Caucus is a joint initiative of its four co-chairs, Senators
Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.)
and John Shimkus (R-Ill.).
As co-Chairs of the Congressional E911 Caucus, Sen. Burns and Sen. Clinton
(D-NY) have developed legislation to deal with the challenges that our country
faces in regards to enhanced 911 services. The legislation Senator Clinton
and Senator Burns introduced in June guarantees funding for E911 to help put
in place the necessary infrastructure to help our first responders can respond
and save lives. Provisions in the legislation include:
- Creation of the NTIA
Task Force - Requires the Administrator of NTIA to establish an Emergency Communications
Task Force to facilitate coordination between federal,
state, and local communications systems.
- Authorizes $500 million per year for grants to enhance emergency communications
services through planning, infrastructure improvements, equipment purchases,
and personnel training and acquisition. Fifty percent matching grants would
be available to state, local, and tribal governments.
- FCC review of fees for enhancing 911 services. States would be required to
certify that no e-911 fees are being used for other purposes.
- The FCC is required to notify Congress of states that divert E911 funds and
the NTIA is required to withhold grant funds to states that are found by the
FCC to divert E911 funds.
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