DOT Letter to Congress
This is the text of a letter sent to every member of Congress as well as to key committee staff members.
April 4, 2000
The Honorable ______________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative ___________:
Over the years, the Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) has enjoyed broad bipartisan support and unparalleled cooperation between the military and civilian communities. In the National Defense Authorization Act for 1998, Congress recognized the value of GPS to national security, foreign policy, safety, and economic productivity. This has greatly benefited both the public and private sectors of our economy. In short, GPS is a shining example of "government done right." However, we have work to do if this success story is to continue in the future.
Today, GPS is rapidly becoming the accepted global standard for critical public-sector infrastructure in transportation, telecommunications, and commerce with civilian use comprising more than 90% of the GPS user community. As a result, private-sector investment has built an economic engine driving a $6 billion/year U.S. industry that continues to grow each year. Continued growth is only possible through the augmentation and modernization of the GPS for civilian use to maintain and advance economic productivity and U.S. technical leadership. We must act together now to meet the current and emerging demands of the public and private sectors that were not met by the original GPS design. It takes time to expand critical infrastructure, and this is particularly true for space systems.
I ask for your support for the budget requests that will continue the modernization of GPS and its augmentations in the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2001. We have enclosed a brochure with the hope that it will help explain the importance of our GPS-related programs and the vast array of benefits that they will bring to our nation. These programs will allow the U.S. to continue leading the way even as future satellite navigation systems emerge from Europe and elsewhere.
Thank you for your support in the past and I look forward to your continued support in the future. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
/signature/
Eugene A. Conti, Jr.
Assistant Secretary for
Transportation Policy