[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 797 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 797

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      October 22, 2009.
Whereas more than 220,000,000 American adults use the Internet in the United 
        States, 80 percent of whom connect through broadband connections, to 
        conduct business, 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 nearly all 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 the 
        management of 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 approximately 93 percent of all teenagers 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 Americans, providing access to a range of valuable services, 
        but exposing them to potential threats like cyber bullies, predators, 
        and identity thieves;
Whereas cyber security is a critical part of the Nation's overall homeland 
        security;
Whereas the Nation's critical infrastructures and economy 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 critical infrastructure owners and operators face an 
        increasing threat of criminal activity and 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, can cause extensive economic harm, 
        and can disable entire systems;
Whereas coordination among the Federal Government, State, local, and tribal 
        governments, and the private sector 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 now more than ever before, 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 cyber security and the need for enhanced cyber security in 
        the United States;
Whereas the Cyberspace Policy Review, published by the White House in May 2009, 
        recommends that the Federal Government initiate a national public 
        awareness and education campaign to promote cyber security;
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, the Multi-State Information 
        Sharing and Analysis Center, and the Department of Homeland Security 
        have designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to 
        provide an opportunity to educate United States citizens about cyber 
        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 development 
        and implementation of existing and future cyber security consensus 
        standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of 
        cyber security in the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.