[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 716 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      October 16, 2007.
Whereas more than 200,000,000 American adults use the Internet in the United 
        States, 70 percent of whom connect through broadband connections, to 
        communicate with family and friends, manage finances and pay bills, 
        access educational opportunities, shop at home, participate in online 
        entertainment and games, and stay informed of news and current events;
Whereas United States small businesses, which represent more than 99 percent of 
        all United States employers and employ more than 50 percent of the 
        private workforce, increasingly rely on the Internet to manage their 
        businesses, expand their customer reach, and enhance their connection 
        with their supply chain;
Whereas nearly 100 percent of public schools in the United States have Internet 
        access, with a significant percentage of instructional rooms connected 
        to the Internet to enhance children's education by providing access to 
        educational online content and encouraging self-initiative to discover 
        research resources;
Whereas almost 9 in 10 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17, or approximately 
        87 percent of all youth, use the Internet;
Whereas the number of children who connect to the Internet at school continues 
        to rise, and teaching children of all ages to become good cyber-citizens 
        through safe, secure, and ethical online behaviors and practices is 
        essential to protect their computer systems and potentially their 
        physical safety;
Whereas the growth and popularity of social networking websites has attracted 
        millions of teenagers, providing access to a range of valuable services, 
        making it all the more important to teach teenaged users how to avoid 
        potential threats like cyber bullies, predators, and identity thieves 
        they may come across while using such services;
Whereas cyber security is a critical part of the Nation's overall homeland 
        security;
Whereas the Nation's critical infrastructures rely on the secure and reliable 
        operation of information networks to support the Nation's financial 
        services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, health care, and 
        emergency response systems;
Whereas cyber attacks have been attempted against the Nation and the United 
        States economy, and the Department of Homeland Security's mission 
        includes securing the homeland against cyber terrorism and other 
        attacks;
Whereas Internet users and information infrastructure holders face an increasing 
        threat of malicious attacks through viruses, worms, Trojans, and 
        unwanted programs such as spyware, adware, hacking tools, and password 
        stealers, that are frequent and fast in propagation, are costly to 
        repair, and can cause extensive economic harm;
Whereas coordination between the numerous Federal agencies involved in cyber 
        security efforts, including the Department of Homeland Security, the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science 
        Foundation, and others is essential to securing America's critical cyber 
        infrastructure;
Whereas millions of records containing personally-identifiable information have 
        been lost, stolen or breached, threatening the security and financial 
        well-being of United States citizens;
Whereas consumers face significant financial and personal privacy losses due to 
        identity theft and fraud;
Whereas national organizations, policymakers, government agencies, private 
        sector companies, nonprofit institutions, schools, academic 
        organizations, consumers, and the media recognize the need to increase 
        awareness of computer security and the need for enhanced computer 
        security in the United States;
Whereas the National Cyber Security Alliance's mission is to increase awareness 
        of cyber security practices and technologies to home users, students, 
        teachers, and small businesses through educational activities, online 
        resources and checklists, and Public Service Announcements; and
Whereas the National Cyber Security Alliance has designated October as National 
        Cyber Security Awareness Month to provide an opportunity to educate 
        United States citizens about computer security: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security 
        Awareness Month; and
            (2) intends to work with Federal agencies, national organizations, 
        businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the voluntary 
        development and use implementation of existing and future computer 
        security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in 
        order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.