[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9797-S9798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               THE YEAR 2000--SIXTEEN MONTHS AND COUNTING

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a 
critical issue which I fear has not received the attention it deserves. 
I am speaking about the Year 2000 computer problem which will strike in 
a mere sixteen months.
  The year 2000 holds potential problems for all Americans. At numerous 
hearings by the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
Technology, on which I serve, witnesses have testified that the year 
2000 problem involves more than just computers--it is a pervasive 
problem for which there is no quick fix. But fix it we must, because 
there can be no extension of time.
  I commend the efforts of Senator Bennett, Chairman of that Banking 
Subcommittee, for his tireless efforts

[[Page S9798]]

to raise the profile of Y2K issues. Senator Bennett now chairs the 
joint task force on Y2K, and he will be a forceful advocate for the 
necessity of addressing this issue.
  Government, businesses, farms and homes rely on computers for nearly 
every aspect of their operations--from paying Social Security, to 
operating vehicles and equipment, to calculating interest, to 
conducting elections, to launching missiles. A failure in one computer 
system could not only be devastating to that particular operation, but 
could also have a domino effect.
  For these reasons, it is vitally important that government and the 
private sector work together to avoid a potential disaster. According 
to a recent General Accounting Office (GAO) study, the federal 
government is extremely vulnerable to year 2000 problems because of its 
widespread dependence on computer systems.
  The GAO study found uneven progress and made a number of 
recommendations for federal agencies to implement. Among them are the 
need to establish priorities, solidify data exchange agreements, and 
develop contingency plans.
  GAO testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, on which I 
also serve, focused on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 
computer systems. The GAO concluded that if not properly fixed, severe 
consequences could result such as:
  Payments to schools, farmers and others in rural communities could be 
delayed or incorrectly computed.
  The economy could be adversely affected if information critical to 
crop and livestock providers and investors is unreliable, late or 
unavailable.
  The import and export of foodstuffs could be delayed, thus increasing 
the likelihood that they will not reach their intended destinations 
before their spoilage dates.
  Food distribution to schools and others could be stopped or delayed.
  Public health and safety could be at risk if equipment used in USDA's 
many laboratories to detect bacteria, diseases, and unwholesome foods 
is not compliant.
  These are a few of the potential year 2000 computer problems in just 
one agency of the federal government. Many federal agencies have made 
tremendous progress in solving their computer problems, but many more 
have been remiss. Therefore, the role of the Administration through the 
President' Council on Year 2000 Conversion becomes even more important 
in ensuring the federal government's readiness for year 2000.
  I am encouraged by President Clinton's recent initiatives to increase 
national and global awareness of the Y2K problem and to facilitate 
private sector attempts to address it. The President's ``Year 2000 Good 
Samaritan'' legislation is designed to promote private sector exchange 
of year 2000-related information and would help our national 
preparedness for 2000.
  Y2K will not just impact the United States. In today's global 
economy, no area can remain isolated from any other. The United States 
also will contribute $12 million to assist the World Bank's plan to 
raise awareness of the problem in developing countries.
  I am also encouraged by the recent testing of Y2K compliance by Wall 
Street firms which are conducting a series of tests to see whether U.S. 
markets will face Y2K difficulties. These firms represent the type of 
foresight which will limit any dislocation caused by the Y2K glitch. 
This is the first known comprehensive effort to check the compliance of 
corporate America for the Y2K bug, and I hope more sectors of the 
economy quickly follow suit.
  The potential difficulties are almost incalculable, when we consider 
the tremendous role computers play in our everyday lives. From food 
distribution to air traffic control. From our monetary infrastructure 
to electric power grids. Telecommunications systems and traffic lights. 
All of these necessities we take for granted could be impacted on 
January 1, 2000.
  Congress must continue it's oversight to make certain that the 
necessary resources are brought to bear on this critical issue. We have 
made progress, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be 
done. The clock is running, and we cannot afford to fail to meet the 
year 2000 deadline.

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