[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 17 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CYBERSECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4061) to 
     advance cybersecurity research, development, and technical 
     standards, and for other purposes:

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4061, the 
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009. First, my thanks to Chairman 
Gordon and Representative Lipinski for their work on this bill. The 
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act coordinates federal research and 
development in cybersecurity, focuses on developing a skilled 
cybersecurity workforce, and prominently positions the U.S. in the 
development of international cybersecurity technical standards. These 
areas should be priorities for all agencies in the federal government.
  While these investments and initiatives will move us toward the goal 
of protecting our nation's information infrastructure and assets, there 
is more we must do to protect these essential resources.
  There's been an alarming increase in the number of cyberattacks 
launched on the U.S. information technology industry, their employees, 
customers, and the U.S. citizens that leverage these innovative tools. 
In addition, many countries are beginning to implement specific 
regulations that discriminate against the U.S. by requiring our 
innovators to reveal the blueprints of their success as a condition of 
market entry. This is essentially the ``hijacking'' of intellectual 
property and is widespread around the world.
  As a result, the attacks on these uniquely American assets not only 
jeopardize U.S. economic security, but our national security is also at 
risk. This is a threat to the continued economic growth and job 
creation by the information technology industry, much of which comes 
from my district. It also undermines the integrity of the networks 
across the globe which the U.S. depends on to secure sensitive 
information.
  The cybersecurity initiatives in this legislation are a worthwhile 
effort which I support. It also is imperative that the growth engine of 
our innovation economy--our information technology that is delivered 
seamlessly and securely around the globe--is defended and protected by 
the U.S. government when a foreign entity attempts to compromise it.
  Congress must move aggressively to ensure that any attempt at 
cyberattacks or ``high-tech robbery'' on any U.S. enterprise here and 
abroad is dealt with strongly and swiftly by the United States 
Government.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill.

                          ____________________