This report, submitted by Representative Ford, of Michigan, from the House Committee on Education and Labor, is intended to accompany H.R. 656. The bill provides for a focused and coordinated federal research program to ensure continued U.S. leadership in high-performance computing through the establishment of a national network of high-performance computers and to accelerate research in the field and broaden the application of high-performance computing throughout all spheres of society. The bill also requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate among the various federal agencies a national network of high-speed computers, which would be known as the National Research and Education Network (NREN). In addition, the bill authorizes funding for several federal agencies to carry out high-speed computer research and application. It is noted that, during consideration of the bill by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, a number of provisions were included that will permit the participation of libraries and education institutions at all levels in NREN. The Committee on Education and Labor received the bill as a sequential referral, and adopted three amendments to the bill to enhance the ability of educators and librarians to participate in the benefits which will be provided through NREN. This Committee reports favorably on the bill as amended and recommends that it be passed. Cost estimates of the Congressional Budget Office are included in the report. (DB)