Whereas 9–1–1 is recognized throughout the United States as the number to call in an emergency to receive immediate help from law enforcement agencies, fire services, emergency medical services, and other appropriate emergency response entities; Whereas, in 1967, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended that a single number should be established nationwide for reporting emergency situations, and various Federal Government agencies and governmental officials supported and encouraged the recommendation; Whereas, in 1968, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (commonly known as AT&T ) announced that it would establish the digits 9–1–1 as the emergency code throughout the United States; Whereas Congress designated 9–1–1 as the national emergency call number in the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 ( Public Law 106–81 ; 113 Stat. 1286); Whereas section 102 of the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 ( 47 U.S.C. 942 note) declared an enhanced 9–1–1 system to be a high national priority and part of our Nation's homeland security and public safety ; Whereas it is important that policymakers at all levels of government understand the importance of 9–1–1, how the 9–1–1 system works, and the steps that are needed to modernize the 9–1–1 system; Whereas the 9–1–1 system is the connection between the eyes and ears of the public and the emergency response system in the United States and is often the first place emergencies of all magnitudes are reported, making 9–1–1 a significant homeland security asset; Whereas nearly 6,000 9–1–1 public safety answering points serve more than 3,000 counties and parishes throughout the United States; Whereas telecommunicators at public safety answering points answer more than 200,000,000 9–1–1 calls each year in the United States; Whereas a growing number of 9–1–1 calls are made using wireless and Internet Protocol-based communications services