Whereas Geographic Information System technology (referred to in this resolution as GIS ) embraces new and innovative ways to use, discover, and share geospatial data through online portals and web services; Whereas the management, use, and exchange of geographic information and geospatial data and analysis are essential for operations and decisionmaking in Federal agencies; Whereas GIS facilitates the sharing of geographic data, services, and maps through online portals such as GeoPlatform.gov and other relevant Federal data portals; Whereas GIS helps provide shared and trusted geospatial data, services, and applications for use by— (1) the public; (2) government agencies and partners of government agencies to meet their mission goals; and (3) State, Tribal, county, and municipal governments; Whereas GIS fosters collaboration and partnerships in the advancement of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (referred to in this resolution as NSDI ); Whereas GIS provides a common framework for the Federal Government, State, Tribal, and local governments, non-Federal partners, communities, constituents, professional bodies for standards, data catalogs, partnerships, and tools that make up the NSDI; Whereas GIS is a critical tool used by public health officials at the local, national, and global levels in the surveillance and modeling of, and response to, public health emergencies, including the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas GIS is used to investigate and address environmental issues, including— (1) wildland fire mitigation and suppression; (2) volcanic activity; (3) coastline degradation; and (4) earthquake impacts and hazards; Whereas GIS is used to locate and prioritize broadband deployment to rural and other underserved Americans; Whereas GIS is an interdisciplinary tool used by students, teachers, researchers, universities, and practitioners in numerous fields and disciplines