[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           YEAR 2000 PROBLEM

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the year 2000 will herald the start of a 
new millennium. However, if our country doesn't address the Year 2000 
or Y2K technology problem, the millennium may begin with numerous 
disruptions. Meeting the challenges presented by the Year 2000 
conversion will require the commitment of significant resources from 
both the public and private sectors. The federal government, in 
particular, must take a leadership role. The federal government is 
fixing its own systems and must facilitate private sector conversion.
  Today Mr. Horn and Mrs. Morella have introduced the ``Year 2000 
Information Disclosure Act''. I am cosponsoring this bipartisan 
legislation which will serve to encourage businesses to share 
information on solving the Y2K bug. This legislation protects from 
liability claims those who in good faith share information on solving 
the Y2K problem.
  Without timely sharing of data on the Y2K fix, many small-to-medium 
size companies may not meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2000. This could 
have serious repercussions for the economy. Small to medium size 
businesses who face disruptions from the Y2K bug may simply not make it 
because they may not be able to continue business. Many business 
sectors are dependent on each other. They exchange information 
electronically every day. For this reason, it's crucial to limit 
liability for sharing information on Y2K solutions.
  Currently, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion has 
determined that concern over liability is impeding the transfer of 
information on the Y2K bug between companies. The ``Year 2000 
Information Disclosure Act'' is of national importance. I encourage 
this body to act on this legislation as soon as possible.

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