Daniel Akaka: “I commend to your attention a report entitled ``Assessment of Remote Sensing Data Use By Civilian Federal Agencies,''…”

“I commend to your attention a report entitled ``Assessment of Remote Sensing Data Use By Civilian Federal Agencies,'' which was prepared by Dr. Sherri Stephan of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services and the Congressional Research Service. The report will be available on the Subcommittee's website. In January 2001, I asked the CRS to conduct a survey of remote sensing data and technology use by Federal non-military agencies. Subcommittee staff used the CRS survey results, included in the report as an appendix, and collected agency responses to analyze how Federal agencies use remote sensing. It is my hope that this report will enable Congress to better understand the issues that arise in obtaining and applying the technology. The widespread availability of detailed and accurate satellite imaging data has made the world increasingly transparent. Observational capabilities that only a few decades ago were classified and strictly limited are now owned and operated by both government and private-sector organizations. For example, Space Imaging, a private satellite data company's web site contains satellite photos of the attack on Kandahar. Satellite images have also revolutionized the study of the natural environment and global hazards, agriculture, transportation and urban planning, law enforcement, education, energy use, public health trends, and international policy.”