    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 14, 1999]
    [Page 2300]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Report of the Office of Management and Budget on the
    Federal Government's Readiness for the Year 2000
    December 14, 1999

        With the end of the year in sight, I am pleased to announce that
    OMB's final quarterly report shows that the Federal Government is ready
    for the year 2000. As of today, 99.9 percent of the Government's
    mission-critical computer systems are Y2K compliant. They have been
    fixed, tested, and certified as ready for operation on January 1, 2000.
    We have met the challenge of making sure that the Federal Government can
    continue to serve the American people as we enter the next century.
        Three years ago when we started our intensive work on Y2K, only one-
    fifth of the mission-critical systems was ready. Many said that the
    Federal Government was not up to the job, that the deadline would not be
    met, and that the price tag would be exorbitant, as much as $50 billion.
        Today, the facts are clear: We have done our job; we have met the
    deadline; and we have done well below cost projections. I want to thank
    the thousands of dedicated men and women of the Federal Government who
    spent long hours, late nights, and many weekends getting us ready for
    the new year. Many of these same people will be mobilized and working
    throughout the New Year's weekend. Thanks to them, we have every reason
    to approach the changeover with confidence about the operations of the
    Federal Government.
        However, no amount of preparation can prevent glitches. For this
    reason, there are backup plans, so that the critical functions of the
    Federal Government can continue.
        For many others, including smaller businesses and local governments,
    there is still work to do between now and the end of the year. I urge
    them to make every effort possible to fix as many computer systems as
    they can and to develop contingency plans if they are needed.
        As we turn our thoughts to a new year, Americans have every right to
    be proud of the work of their Government and its employees. They will
    continue to work vigilantly through the holidays and into the new year
    so that America may celebrate the arrival of a new millennium.