Email response from Senate:
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE YEAR 2000 TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM
Preparation for the year 2000 is a good idea for everyone. Of course, it is better to be prepared than not. Senator Bennett is encouraging some food storage, in case delivery trucks are not able to get food to the grocery stores on their regular schedule.
Please call your local phone, power, and water companies to find out how ready they are for the year 2000. Also, please have hard copies of anything that is kept electronically, such as your bank statements. The Senator is recommending that you have some cash on hand, but do not take all of your money out of the bank, this could cause a run on banks, and therefore a recession.
What is important, is the potential problem caused by panic, is bigger than the actual problem. Therefore, it is essential that American's are educated on the subject, and instead of panicking, they should help to inform other people, as well as prepare. You can research all of the recent findings on our web site: senate.gov.
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Re: LINKS TO TESTAMONY
Date: 99-02-10 16:19:08 EST
From: Year2000@y2k.senate.gov (Year2000)
Thank you for your interest in the Year 2000 Technology Problem. We realize that this is an issue which concerns not only the government, but also private citizens, such as yourself.
By going to our Committee web site at: www.senate.gov/~y2k, you will find the written testimonies from all of our Senate hearings involving health care, transportation, power and utilities, banking, and others. The witnesses testimonies from these hearings will help to answer many of your questions. You will also find on our web site the Senator's speeches, frequently asked questions, and press releases.
We would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little more about our committee and give you more background on this issue. The Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem was created through Senate Resolution 208, introduced by Senator Trent Lott, MS. Senator Robert F. Bennett, UT, was named Chairman and Senator Christopher J. Dodd, CT, was named as Vice-Chairman. Also on the Committee are Senators Jon Kyl, Gordon Smith, Susan Collins, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and Jeff Bingaman. Senators Ted Stevens and Robert C. Byrd
are serving ex officio.
Senate Resolution 208 "Establishes a special committee of the Senate to be knownas the Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem to: (1) study the impact of the year 2000 technology problem on the executive and judicial branches of the Federal Government, State governments, and private sector operations in the United States and abroad; and (2) make appropriate findings of fact and necessary recommendations, including those for new or amended legislation and administrative or other actions."
The Year 2000, or Y2K, problem is a global problem that affects computer programs, hardware, and data communication. Years ago when the first computers were programmed, memory space was limited and expensive. In order to save both space and money, programers shortened the four digit dates to two digits, i.e. 1998 became 98. The Y2K problem will occur when some computers attempt to read the date "2000" as "00." They cannot distinguish between "1900" and "2000" and therefore become confused and either miscalculate, misfunction, or shut down completely.
Many computer programs manufactured after 1997 are considered Y2K compliant, which means they will properly function on January 1, 2000. However, some programs still on venders shelves are not considered compliant.
Computer hardware is also an area of concern for the year 2000. Hardware includes what has become known as "imbedded chips." They are called imbedded because the code which operates the date can be buried within different codes of operation. Computer chips are integral to a variety of aspects of modern life, including electronic financial transactions, household appliances, transportation, medical devices, factories and office buildings, utilities, and telecommunications.
An additional affected area is data communication. If a computer screen goes blank, or programs malfunction, then you know you have a problem. However, a second and somewhat larger problem arises when your computer outputs the wrong data. This is caused when lines of code miscommunicate with each other. If computer code and language is read the wrong way, then a computer cannot properly analyze that code and produce the proper findings.
We have the technology to fix the Y2K problem. The problem is in the implementation of the solution. We do not have the resources to fix all Y2K susceptible systems before the year 2000. Thus, the Committee advocates a triage system -- determining which systems are most critical in any organization and fixing those systems first. One major focus of our committee is the utilities industry, due to the critical nature of power to many aspects of the country's welfare. The problem is compounded by the fact that the millennium
occurs in the middle of winter, when inadequate power and heating would be particularly difficult.
Preparation for the year 2000 is a good idea for everyone. Of course, it is better to be prepared than not. Senator Bennett is encouraging some food storage, in case delivery trucks are not able to get food to the grocery stores on their regular schedule. Please call your local phone, power, and water companies to find out how ready they are for the year 2000. Also, please have hard copies of anything that is kept electronically, such as your bank statements. The Senator is recommending that you have some cash on hand, but donot take all of your money out of the bank, this could cause a run on banks, and
therefore a recession. What is important, is the potential problem caused by panic, is bigger than the actual problem. Therefore, it is essential that American's are educated on the subject, and instead of panicking, they should help to inform other people, as well as prepare. You can research all of the recent findings on our web site: senate.gov.
If you need additional information, there are other organizations you can contact. If you are a small business and need information on how to make your business Y2K compliant, call the Small Business Administration at (202)606-4000, and ask for a copy of the pamphlet "Are you Y2K Okay."
If you would like information on what the FDIC is doing to insure your bank is compliant, contact your bank and ask for the pamphlet called "The Year 2000 Date Change."
In addition, contact your utilities companies, including power and water, to ensure that they are taking adequate steps to be compliant.
As a final recommendation, make copies of important information that you may usually keep electronically. Make sure you are informed and current with your personal bank and stock information.
For additional Y2K Information we recommend the following Internet sites:
The Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem can be reached at our web site senate.gov (Currently under construction.)
On Senator Bennett's home page, you can find most of the Y2K information, including the written testimonies of the hearings.
senate.gov
Y2K effort prior to the formation of the Special Committee
senate.gov
The President's Council on the Year 2000 Conversion y2k.gov
The House Science Technology Subcommittee house.gov
Other recommended web sites for Y2K information are:
- Current news articles year2000.com
- Legal and managerial Y2K information y2k.com
- Small business Y2K help sba.gov
We hope this information will be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
The Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem
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