As New York
City based licensees of the Federal Communications Commission
who specialize in Amateur Radio emergency communications, we
are eager to see the adoption of Congressional Resolutions which
promote, include and protect Amateur Radio operations. This
especially includes Resolutions which have the potential to
formally enhance the use of and broaden inclusion of, federally
licensed Amateur Radio communicators as part of any municipality's
comprehensive disaster and emergency plans.
2012
May - Letter to Congressman
Edolphus Towns inquiring on the status of HR 81 
An
Explanation and Listing of Congressional Actions in Which Amateur
Radio is Mentioned
as Part of Emergency / Disaster Management and/or Homeland Security
Compiled
by Shelomo Alfassa, KI4GGU
NYC-ARECS Public Information Officer
2012
June 12 House
Report 112-522
"Report of the Legislative and Oversight Activities of
the Committee on Homeland Security"
2012
May 11 House Report
112-479
"National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013"
(Mention of MARS)
2012
February 16 House
Report 112-399
"On
February 22, 2012, President Obama signed this House Report
(a conference report to accompany H.R. 3630), the "Middle
Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012" (Public
Law No. 112-96), which had passed in the House and Senate on
February 17, 2012. Inside H. Report 112-299, Title
VI (Public Safety), Subtitle D (Spectrum Auction Authority),
makes mention in Sec. 6414, for a call to develop a "Study
on emergency communications by amateur radio and impediments
to amateur radio communications." (See Page 82 of 112-399)
[Subsequent FCC
call for study]
2012
February 3 Federal
Register
Vol. 77 No. 23 This document amends the FCC rules to facilitate
more efficient and effective use by the Amateur Radio Service
of five channels in the 60 meter band. RACES is mentioned.
2011
June 13 Senate
Report 112-22
"Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2011"
2011
January 26 S.191
"To
direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study
on emergency communications."
2011
January 5 HR 81
"To
promote and encourage the valuable public service, disaster
relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer
basis by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission
in the Amateur Radio Service, by undertaking a study of the
uses of amateur radio for emergency and disaster relief communications,
by identifying unnecessary or unreasonable impediments to the
deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and disaster relief communications,
and by making recommendations for relief of such unreasonable
restrictions so as to expand the uses of amateur radio communications
in Homeland Security planning and response."
2010
August 25 Report for Congress:
"Emergency Communications: Broadband and the Future of
911"
2009
December 15 S.1755
"Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 - To
direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study
on emergency communications." [This
bill was re-introduced as S. 191 on Jan 26, 2011.]
2006
October Public Law 109–295
Making appropriations
for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.
2009 April 29 HR
2160
"To
promote and encourage the valuable public service, disaster
relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer
basis by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission
in the Amateur Radio Service, by undertaking a study of the
uses of amateur radio for emergency and disaster relief communications,
by identifying unnecessary or unreasonable impediments to the
deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and disaster relief communications,
and by making recommendations for relief of such unreasonable
restrictions so as to expand the uses of amateur radio communications
in Homeland Security planning and response."
2006 July HR
5852
"To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance
emergency communications at the Department of Homeland Security,
and for other purposes." [Amateur Radio is included within
the legislation's Subtitle D, Section 671, known as the "21st
Century Emergency Communications Act."]
2003
June 11 H.Hrg. 108-34
"The
Spectrum Needs of Our Nation's First Responders: Hearing Before
The Subcommittee On Telecommunications and the Internet of The
Committee On Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives."
2002
April 25 HR 4720
"Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act
of 2002." [Antennas at residences]
2001
December 5 S.Hrg.
107-1118
"Response of The Technology Sector In Times of Crisis,
Hearing Before The Subcommittee On Science, Technology, And
Space of The Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation,
United States Senate."
1994 October Public Law
103-408 "Joint Resolution of Congress to Recognize the
Achievements of Radio Amateurs as Public Policy"
1993
May 7 SJ Res 90
[Signed
by President and Became Public Law 103-408 on October
22, 1994] A joint resolution to recognize the achievements
of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs
as national policy. "Commends radio amateurs for
their contributions to technical progress in electronics and
for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster.
Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and
enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public
benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the
use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares
that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation
of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public
areas and that regulation at all levels of government should
facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public
benefit."
1993
May 20 HJ Res
199
| Extension of Remarks
- 1993 May 20
| To recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and
to establish support for such amateurs as national policy.
"Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical
progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications
in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission
to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio
service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations
which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur
radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should
be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences,
private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all
levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur
radio operation as a public benefit."
