From: believer@telepath.com Subject: IP: Sen. Moynihan Warns of Y2K Catastrophe Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 08:42:26 -0600 To: believer@telepath.com Source: http://www.senate.gov/~y2k/statements/100798moynihan.html Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem (Oct. 7). As we wind up the last Year 2000 (Y2K) hearing of this Congress, I would like to commend Senator Bennett and the Special Committee for its work in addressing the computer problem. The Committee has done a fine job in looking at all the aspects of society that the Y2K problem affects: the utilities industry, the heath sector, financial services, transportation, government, and businesses. The Committee should also be applauded for the role it played in formulating and passing S. 2392, The Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act. As an original cosponsor of this piece of legislation, I am pleased to see that its enactment is soon at hand. The head of the President's Council on Y2K, John Koskinen, said that passing this bill is one of the most important things that we could do on the Y2K front. I agree. I say well done to the Committee for all of the work it has done in such a short amount of time. It was almost two and a half years ago that I sounded the alarm on the computer problem. On July 31, 1996, I sent President Clinton a letter expressing my views and concerns about Y2K. I warned him of the ``extreme negative economic consequences of the Y2K Time Bomb,'' and suggested that ``a presidential aide be appointed to take responsibility for assuring that all Federal Agencies, including the military, be Y2K compliant by January 1, 1999 [leaving a year for `testing'] and that all commercial and industrial firms doing business with the Federal government must also be compliant by that date.'' January 1, 1999 is quickly approaching. I believe that we have made progress in addressing the computer problem and that the ``Good Samaritan'' legislation will play a significant role in ameliorating this problem. But much work remains to be done. For the next 450 days we must continue to work on this problem with dedication and resolve. Historically, the fin de siecle has caused quite a stir. Until now, however, there has been little factual basis on which doomsayers and apocalyptic fear mongers could spread their gospel. After studying the potential impact of Y2K on the telecommunications industry, health care, economy, and other vital sectors of our lives, I would like to warn that we have cause for fear. For the failure to address the millennium bug could be catastrophic. ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- **************************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo@majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address or (un)subscribe ignition-point-digest email@address **************************************************** www.telepath.com/believer ****************************************************