[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNET APPRECIATION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2001

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to report that the Intenet economy is 
alive and well.
  In the past year, a perceived lack of public confidence has hampered 
an industry, which has limitless potential. Despite the negativity 
reported in the media, let it be known that 350 million Internet users 
worldwide truly enjoy this incredible medium. And that while the media 
has reported that almost 300 dotcoms have closed their doors since 
January 2000, more than 7,500 Internet-related companies have been 
funded by venture capital alone in the past 5 years. The Internet 
economy itself has created some 3 million jobs worldwide. In light of 
premature pessimism, industry leaders are calling on the 350 million 
Internet users worldwide to remember why they embraced the Internet in 
the first place by participating in ``Internet Appreciation Day'', on 
April 3d, with the launch of the `Back the Net' campaign.
  On April 3d, Internet users are being asked to show their support by 
donating to an online charity, purchasing something online or investing 
in their favorite online business. ICONOLAST, the San Francisco based 
company spearheading this effort is asking Internet users to alert at 
least 10 friends or their customer lists by sending a `Back the Net' 
letter at www.iconocast.com/crusade.
  The Internet has become a vital tool in our information society. It 
has grown exponentially through the 1990's and into the 21st century. 
This growth has fueled the economic prosperity of the last decade while 
giving businesses, consumers and more importantly the American family 
access to an unprecedented amount of information. More Americans are 
going online to conduct such day-to-day activities as education, 
business transactions, personal correspondence, research and 
information-gathering, and job searches. Each year, being digitally 
connected becomes ever more critical to economic and educational 
advancement as well as community participation. The family friendly 
Internet has brought happiness to America's families by increasing and 
enhancing communication across the country and across generations.
  For these reasons friends of the Internet declare April 3d, 2001 
``Internet Appreciation Day'' to once again help restore public 
confidence in and respect for the Internet.

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