Union Calendar No. 97
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1757
[Report No. 103–173]
A BILL
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to
accelerate development and dissemination of ap-
plications of high-performance computing and
high-speed networking, and for other purposes.
JULY 13, 1993
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Commit-
tee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and
ordered to be printed
IB
Union Calendar No. 97
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1757
[Report No. 103–173]
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate development
and dissemination of applications of high-performance computing and
high-speed networking, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 21, 1993
Mr. BOUCHER (for himself, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr.
VALENTINE, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. HAYES, Mr. BACCHUS of Florida, Mr.
CRAMER, Mr. BARCIA, Mr. KLEIN, Mr. FINGERHUT, Mr. MCHALE, Ms.
ESHOO, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr.
COLEMAN, Mr. WISE, Mr. BLACKWELL, and Mr. KANJORSKI) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology
JUNE 15, 1993
Additional sponsors: Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey, Mr. TOWNS, and Mr.
MACHTLEY
JULY 13, 1993
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 21, 1993]
A BILL
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate
development and dissemination of applications of high-
performance computing and high-speed networking, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Information
Infrastructure Act of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) high-performance computing and high-speed
networks have proven to be powerful tools for improv-
ing America’s national security, industrial competi-
tiveness, research capabilities, and ability to make a
wide array of information available for a variety of
applications;
(2) Federal programs, such as the High-Perform-
ance Computing Program and National Research and
Education Network established by Congress in 1991,
are vital to the maintenance of United States leader-
ship in high-performance computing and high-speed
network development, particularly in the defense and
research sectors;
(3) high-performance computing and high-speed
networking have the potential to expand dramatically
access to information in many fields, including edu-
cation, libraries, government information dissemina-
digital libraries of electronic information, the develop-
ment of standards and protocols to make the stores of
government information readily accessible by elec-
tronic means, and computer systems to improve the
delivery of health care.
SEC. 3. APPLICATIONS OF THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE COM-
PUTING PROGRAM.
The High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 is
amended by adding at the end the following new title:
‘‘TITLE III—APPLICATIONS OF
COMPUTING AND NETWORKING
‘‘SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF APPLICATIONS PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director, through the
Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering,
and Technology, shall, in accordance with this title—
‘‘(1) establish a coordinated interagency applica-
tions program to develop applications of computing
and networking advances achieved under the Program
described in section 101, that are designed to be acces-
sible and usable by all persons in the United States,
including historically underserved populations and
individuals with disabilities, in the fields of edu-
cation, libraries, health care, the provision of govern-
ment information, and other appropriate fields; and
‘‘(2) develop a Plan for Computing and
Networking Applications (hereafter in this title re-
ferred to as the ‘Plan’) describing the goals and pro-
posed activities of the applications program estab-
lished under paragraph (1), taking into consideration
the recommendations of the advisory committee on
high-performance computing and applications estab-
lished under section 101(b).
The President shall designate the Federal agencies and de-
partments which shall participate in the applications pro-
gram established under paragraph (1). The applications
program may be administered as part of the Program estab-
lished under section 101.
‘‘(b) COLLABORATION
WITH
NON-FEDERAL
ENTI-
TIES.—To the maximum extent possible, the applications
program shall involve cost sharing and partnerships among
participating Federal departments and agencies, State and
local governments, and private sector entities.
‘‘(c) INTEROPERABLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS.—In se-
lecting projects for support under this title, special consider-
ation shall be given to projects which will promote develop-
ment of interconnected and interoperable information sys-
tems.
‘‘(d) NONDEVELOPMENTAL ITEMS.—In carrying out
activities under this Act, Federal departments and agencies
shall purchase nondevelopmental items whenever possible.
‘‘SEC. 302. PLAN FOR COMPUTING AND NETWORKING APPLI-
CATIONS.
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Plan shall contain a state-
ment of steps which should be taken to implement the appli-
cations program established under section 301(a)(1) for the
fiscal year in which the Plan is submitted and the succeed-
ing four fiscal years, and shall be submitted to the Congress
within one year after the date of enactment of this title.
The Plan shall be revised and resubmitted to the Congress
at least once each two years thereafter.
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The Plan shall—
‘‘(1) establish the goals and priorities for the ap-
plications 
program 
established 
under 
section
301(a)(1), consistent with this Act;
‘‘(2) set forth the specific responsibilities of each
Federal agency and department participating in the
applications 
program 
established 
under 
section
301(a)(1) to achieve the goals and priorities estab-
lished under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
‘‘(3) describe the recommended levels of Federal
funding required for each agency and department to
carry out the specific responsibilities set forth in
paragraph (2) of this subsection.
‘‘(c) PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING PLAN.—(1) Accom-
panying the initial submission of the Plan shall be—
‘‘(A) a summary of the achievements of Federal
efforts during the preceding fiscal year to develop
computing and networking applications and to ad-
vance the technologies on which the applications de-
pend; and
‘‘(B) any recommendations regarding additional
action or legislation which may be required to assist
in implementing the Plan.
‘‘(2) Accompanying each subsequent submission of the
Plan shall be—
‘‘(A) a summary of the achievements of Federal
efforts since the previous submission of the Plan to de-
velop computing and networking applications and to
advance the technologies on which the applications de-
pend, including an estimate of the number and the
demographic diversity of users served in each applica-
tion;
‘‘(B) an evaluation of the progress made toward
achieving the goals and priorities established under
subsection (b)(1);
‘‘(C) a summary of problems encountered in im-
plementing the Plan; and
‘‘(D) any recommendations regarding additional
action or legislation which may be required to assist
in implementing the Plan.
‘‘SEC. 303. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FEDERAL COORDI-
NATING COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE, ENGINEER-
ING, AND TECHNOLOGY.
‘‘The Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engi-
neering, and Technology shall—
‘‘(1) develop the Plan as provided in section
301(a)(2);
‘‘(2) coordinate the activities of Federal agencies
and departments undertaken pursuant to the Plan
and report at least annually to the President, through
the Chairman of the Council, on any recommended
changes in agency or departmental roles that are
needed better to implement the Plan; and
‘‘(3) assess, prior to the President’s submission to
the Congress of the annual budget estimate, each
agency and departmental budget estimate for consist-
ency with the Plan and make the results of that as-
sessment available to the appropriate elements of the
Executive Office of the President, particularly the
Office of Management and Budget.
‘‘SEC. 304. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—Each Federal agency and de-
partment designated by the President under section 301(a)
as a participant in the applications program shall, as part
of its annual request for appropriations to the Office of
Management and Budget—
‘‘(1) identify each element of its activities
which—
‘‘(A) contributes primarily to the implemen-
tation of the Plan; or
‘‘(B) contributes primarily to the achieve-
ment of other objectives but aids Plan implemen-
tation in important ways; and
‘‘(2) identify the portion of its request for appro-
priations that is allocated to each such element.
‘‘(b) OFFICE
OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET RE-
VIEW.—The Office of Management and Budget shall review
each submission received under this section in light of the
goals, priorities, and agency and departmental responsibil-
ities set forth in the Plan. The President’s annual budget
request shall include a statement of the portion of each ap-
propriate agency or department’s annual budget request
that is allocated to efforts to achieve the goals and priorities
established under section 302(b)(1).
‘‘SEC. 305. NETWORK ACCESS.
‘‘(a) CONNECTIONS PROGRAM.—The Plan shall include
programs administered by the National Science Foundation
to—
‘‘(1) foster the development of network services in
local communities which will connect institutions of
education at all levels, libraries, museums, and State
and local governments to each other; and
‘‘(2) provide funds for the purchase of network
services to entities described in paragraph (1), or or-
ganizations representing such entities, to connect to
the Internet.
Such program shall include funding for the acquisition of
required hardware and software and for the establishment
of broadband connections to the Internet. Not more than
75 percent of the cost of any project for which an award
is made under this subsection shall be provided under this
Act.
‘‘(b) TRAINING.—The Plan shall include programs ad-
ministered by the National Science Foundation and other
appropriate agencies and departments to train teachers,
students, librarians, and State and local government per-
sonnel in the use of computer networks and the Internet.
Training programs for librarians shall be designed to pro-
vide skills and training materials needed by librarians to
instruct the public in the use of hardware and software for
accessing and using computer networks and the Internet.
Training programs shall include programs designed for in-
dividuals with disabilities.
‘‘(c) REPORT.—The Director shall, within one year
after the date of enactment of this title, submit a report
to Congress which shall include—
‘‘(1) findings of an examination of the extent to
which the education and library communities and
State and local government have access to the
Internet, including the numbers and the geographic
distribution, by type, of institutions having access,
and including the numbers of institutions having
human/computer interfaces suitable for use by indi-
viduals with disabilities;
‘‘(2) a statement of the extent to which
broadband connections to the Internet exist for the
education and library communities and State and
local governments, including the numbers and the geo-
graphic distribution, by type, of institutions having
access;
‘‘(3) an assessment of the factors limiting access
by institutions of education at all levels, libraries,
and State and local governments to the Internet and
an estimate of the cost of providing universal
broadband access for those institutions to the Internet;
and
‘‘(4) recommendations for collaborative programs
among Federal, State, and local governments and the
private sector to expand connectivity to the Internet
for educational institutions, libraries, and State and
local governments.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foun-
dation for the purposes of this section, $15,000,000 for fiscal
year 1994, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
‘‘SEC. 306. RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATIONS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Plan shall specify the basic
and applied research and human resource development ac-
tivities in areas, such as computer science and engineering,
mathematics, computer visualization, and human cog-
nition, that will provide the foundation for achieving the
applications included in the Plan. The Plan shall include
basic and applied research activities related to the long-
range social and ethical implications of applications of
high-speed networking and high-performance computing.
The Plan shall specify those activities included in the Pro-
gram under title I which contribute to the development of
applications included in the Plan.
‘‘(b) NETWORK SECURITY AND PRIVACY.—The Plan
shall specify research programs needed to create means to—
‘‘(1) ensure the security and privacy of trans-
missions over the Internet and the integrity of digital
information accessed via the Internet; and
‘‘(2) facilitate the management and protection of
copyrighted information which is accessed via the
Internet.
‘‘(c) EASE OF INTERNET USE.—The Plan shall specify
research programs needed to develop and demonstrate
human/computer interfaces that will simplify access to and
use of the Internet by nonspecialists in computing and
networking technologies and by individuals with disabil-
ities.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated for the purposes of this section,
$6,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $15,000,000 for fiscal year
1995, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, $20,000,000 for fis-
cal year 1997, and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘SEC. 307. APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Plan shall specify projects to
develop and apply computing and networking technologies
for use in education at all levels from early childhood edu-
cation through higher education, including projects for the
education and training of individuals with disabilities. The
National Science Foundation shall be the lead agency for
implementing the activities required by this section, and
shall consult with the Department of Education in imple-
menting those activities. Activities under this section shall
include—
‘‘(1) projects, including support for acquisition
of required computer hardware and software, that
demonstrate the educational value of the Internet, in-
cluding cost effectiveness, in providing for advances
in distance learning and electronic classrooms, facili-
tating nationwide communication among educators
and students, access to databases of information in
digital format, and access to innovative curricular
materials;
‘‘(2) development, testing, and evaluation of com-
puter systems, computer software, and computer net-
works for—
‘‘(A) teacher training, including teachers in
special education programs; and
‘‘(B) informal education outside of school,
including workforce training in mathematics,
science, and technology and in specific job-relat-
ed skills, including literacy; and
‘‘(3) development, testing, and evaluation of ad-
vanced educational software and of network-based in-
formation resources.
‘‘(b) ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.—In
accordance with subsection (a), applications for elementary,
secondary, and vocational/technical education shall be de-
signed to complement and strengthen ongoing national,
State, and local educational restructuring and reform ac-
tivities and shall include—
‘‘(1) projects in computing and networking
that—
‘‘(A) provide for network connections among
elementary and secondary schools in local re-
gions and connections to the Internet to enable
students and teachers to—
‘‘(i) communicate with their peers;
‘‘(ii) communicate with educators and
students in institutions of higher education;
and
‘‘(iii) access educational materials and
other computing resources;
‘‘(B) address the needs of rural populations
and of urban communities; and
‘‘(C) address the needs of individuals with
disabilities;
‘‘(2) collection and dissemination of information
about ongoing elementary and secondary educational
projects, including special education projects, based
on application of computing and networking tech-
nologies, and about other educational resources avail-
able over the Internet;
‘‘(3) development and evaluation of undergradu-
ate courses in the educational applications of comput-
ing and networking for the instruction of students
preparing for teaching careers, including courses that
will ensure the early familiarization and training of
these students in the use of the Internet; and
‘‘(4) development, testing, and evaluation of edu-
cational software designed for collaborative use over
the Internet, including tools that will enable class-
room teachers easily to adapt software to local condi-
tions.
‘‘(c) COOPERATION.—In carrying out the requirements
of this section, the National Science Foundation, the De-
partment of Education, and other Federal agencies partici-
pating in such activities shall work with the computer hard-
ware, computer software, and communications industries,
authors and publishers of educational materials, State edu-
cation departments, and local school districts, as appro-
priate.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foun-
dation for the purposes of this section, $16,000,000 for fiscal
year 1994, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $60,000,000
for fiscal year 1996, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1997, and
$75,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘SEC. 308. APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Plan shall specify projects to
develop and apply high-performance computing and high-
speed networking technologies for use in the health care sec-
tor, with the goal of improving the quality and enhancing
the cost-effectiveness of health care. Special consideration
shall be given to applications that are designed to lower
health care costs. The Department of Health and Human
Services, through the National Institutes of Health and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall be the
lead agency for implementing the activities required by this
section.
‘‘(b) CLINICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS.—In accord-
ance with subsection (a), applications related to clinical in-
formation systems shall include—
‘‘(1) testbed networks for linking hospitals, clin-
ics, doctor’s offices, medical schools, medical libraries,
and universities to enable health care providers and
researchers to share medical images and to develop
computer-based records;
‘‘(2) software and visualization technology for
visualizing the human anatomy and analyzing diag-
nostic images and records;
‘‘(3) virtual reality technology for simulating
surgical and medical procedures;
‘‘(4) collaborative technology to allow several
health care providers in remote locations to provide
real-time treatment to patients;
‘‘(5) interactive technologies to allow health care
providers to monitor, evaluate, and treat patients in
nonclinical settings;
‘‘(6) database technology to provide health care
providers with access to relevant medical information
and literature;
‘‘(7) database technology for storing, accessing
and transmitting patients’ medical records while pro-
tecting the accuracy and privacy of those records;
‘‘(8) numerical simulation of chemical inter-
actions relevant to reducing the time and cost of drug
development;
‘‘(9) three dimensional geometric modeling and
artificial intelligence methods for interpreting an
array of medical images; and
‘‘(10) complex simulations of sociological popu-
lations affected disproportionately by selected diseases
or disorders.
‘‘(c) HEALTH INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.—In ac-
cordance with subsection (a), applications related to deliv-
ery of health information to the public shall include—
‘‘(1) development, testing, and evaluation of
database and network technologies for the storage of
consumer-oriented, interactive, multimedia materials
for health promotion, and for the distribution of such
materials to public access points, such as community
health and human service agencies, Centers for Inde-
pendent Living established by the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, organizations established by title I of the
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 1988, schools, and public libraries;
‘‘(2) pilot programs to develop, test, and evaluate
the effectiveness and cost efficiency of interactive,
multimedia materials to assist patients in deciding
among health care options;
‘‘(3) development and demonstration of human/
computer interfaces to allow nonspecialists in com-
puting and networking technologies ease of access to
and use of databases of health information and net-
works providing health information service; and
‘‘(4) development, testing, and evaluation of
database and network access technologies to provide
individuals with health information, including health
risk appraisal, preventative medical advice, and dis-
ease treatment options, which is oriented to nonhealth
professionals and which is customized to take into
consideration an individual’s medical history.
‘‘(d) HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND POPULATION
DATA SETS.—In accordance with subsection (a), applica-
tions for health delivery systems and for gathering popu-
lation data sets shall include—
‘‘(1) testbed networks and software that permits
collaborative communication among local public and
private health and human service providers, such as
health centers, clinics, entitlement offices, and school-
based clinics, to enable health and human service pro-
viders to work together in delivering coordinated serv-
ices for at-risk populations;
‘‘(2) pilot programs to develop high speed com-
munications networks and software for providing
health care providers with—
‘‘(A) immediate, on-line access to up-to-date
clinic-based health promotion and disease pre-
vention recommendations from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and other Public
Health Service agencies; and
‘‘(B) a two-way communications link with
prevention specialists in State and local health
departments, and other agencies with informa-
tion germane to clinic-based health promotion
and disease prevention; and
‘‘(3) development, testing, and evaluation of
database technologies to provide clinicians with access
to information to guide and assist them in providing
diagnosis, providing treatment, and providing advice
regarding health promotion and disease prevention to
patients, and to facilitate the gathering of systematic
population data sets in compatible formats on the ef-
ficacy of treatments and on national health trends.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and
Human Services for the purposes of this section,
$22,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $54,000,000 for fiscal year
1995, $72,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, $90,000,000 for fis-
cal year 1997, and $90,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘SEC. 309. APPLICATIONS FOR LIBRARIES.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Plan shall specify projects to
develop technologies for ‘digital libraries’ of electronic infor-
mation. The National Science Foundation shall be the lead
agency for implementing the activities required by this sec-
tion, and in implementing this section shall take into ac-
count the needs of individuals with disabilities.
‘‘(b) DIGITAL LIBRARIES.—In accordance with sub-
section (a), activities to support the development of digital
libraries shall include—
‘‘(1) development of advanced data storage sys-
tems capable of storing hundreds of trillions of bits of
data and giving thousands of users simultaneous and
nearly instantaneous access to that information;
‘‘(2) development of high-speed, highly accurate
systems for converting printed text, page images,
graphics, and photographic images into electronic
form;
‘‘(3) development of database software capable of
quickly searching, filtering, and summarizing large
volumes of text, imagery, data, and sound;
‘‘(4) encouragement of the development and
adoption of common standards and, where appro-
priate, common formats for electronic data;