    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 4, 1999]
    [Pages 1381-1382]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Year 2000 Computer Problem
    August 4, 1999

    Memorandum for Members of the Cabinet

    Subject:  Year 2000 Computer Problem

        The end of 1999 is less than 6 months away. Federal agencies have
    made significant progress

    in meeting the challenges posed by the Year 2000 (Y2K) computer problem
    since the Vice President and I discussed this issue at the Cabinet
    meeting in January 1998. Virtually all of the major Federal agencies
    have completed, or

    [[Page 1382]]

    will soon complete, work on their mission-critical systems, and agencies
    are working aggressively to encourage compliance among their
    organizational partners for the delivery of key Federal services.
        Our efforts to solve the Y2K problem provide an important example of
    the Government's ability to respond to difficult management challenges,
    and I appreciate your commitment to this critical issue. However, your
    ongoing support through 1999 is essential to the Nation's ability to
    achieve the ultimate goal of minimizing Y2K-related failures in the
    public and private sectors.
        You should continue your outreach efforts to organizations
    domestically and internationally. We must encourage compliance efforts
    among our partners, such as State and local governments helping to
    deliver Federal services and private sector organizations supporting the
    Nation's critical infrastructure. Internationally, the continued
    exchanges of technical information with other governments about Y2K
    experiences will help to limit potential Y2K problems in our trading
    relationships.
        You also should maintain your focus on contingency and back-up
    plans. While many systems and processes have been tested multiple times,
    being prepared with alternate operating plans provides an important
    extra layer of insurance against unexpected difficulties and will
    enhance our ability to respond to any challenges associated with the
    date change.
        I also encourage you to continue to work closely with my Council on
    Year 2000 Conversion, and with each other, as we approach January 1,
    2000. If we continue our hard work on this important issue, I am
    confident that we will be able to oversee a successful transition to the
    new millennium.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on August 5.