Following the introduction of S. 2937, the Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992, S. 4, the National Competitiveness Act of 1993, and H.R. 1757, the National Information Infrastructure Act, it became apparent to the HPCC agencies that the country would be committed to create a National Information Infrastructure and the applications that aid in its initial development.
In response to a suggestion by Dr. Nico Haberman, a task force of the HPCC agencies was formed for the purpose of drafting an initial statement of our endorsement for these ideas and an initial set of descriptions for the agencies' participation. After Dr. Haberman's untimely death, Drs. Mel Ciment, Randy Katz, and Y. T. Chien replaced him, and with other HPCC participants brought to the HPCCIT Subcommittee a final draft of their recommendations (on time) at its regular meeting on December 1, 1993.
Subsequently, many members and agencies have contributed ideas to completion of this initial plan. These have been included in the present document. The document has been accepted by the HPCCIT agencies as our initial plan for the Information Infrastructure Technology and Applications component of our work. We expect to issue updates to this statement as our plans mature and as experience with the NII accumulates. All the agencies will welcome constructive suggestions on how best we can perfect this charge and accomplish the task.