The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S9797-S9798 on Sept. 1, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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THE YEAR 2000--SIXTEEN MONTHS AND COUNTING
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a critical issue which I fear has not received the attention it deserves. I am speaking about the Year 2000 computer problem which will strike in a mere sixteen months.
The year 2000 holds potential problems for all Americans. At numerous hearings by the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology, on which I serve, witnesses have testified that the year 2000 problem involves more than just computers--it is a pervasive problem for which there is no quick fix. But fix it we must, because there can be no extension of time.
I commend the efforts of Senator Bennett, Chairman of that Banking Subcommittee, for his tireless efforts to raise the profile of Y2K issues. Senator Bennett now chairs the joint task force on Y2K, and he will be a forceful advocate for the necessity of addressing this issue.
Government, businesses, farms and homes rely on computers for nearly every aspect of their operations--from paying Social Security, to operating vehicles and equipment, to calculating interest, to conducting elections, to launching missiles. A failure in one computer system could not only be devastating to that particular operation, but could also have a domino effect.
For these reasons, it is vitally important that government and the private sector work together to avoid a potential disaster. According to a recent General Accounting Office (GAO) study, the federal government is extremely vulnerable to year 2000 problems because of its widespread dependence on computer systems.
The GAO study found uneven progress and made a number of recommendations for federal agencies to implement. Among them are the need to establish priorities, solidify data exchange agreements, and develop contingency plans.
GAO testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, on which I also serve, focused on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) computer systems. The GAO concluded that if not properly fixed, severe consequences could result such as:
Payments to schools, farmers and others in rural communities could be delayed or incorrectly computed.
The economy could be adversely affected if information critical to crop and livestock providers and investors is unreliable, late or unavailable.
The import and export of foodstuffs could be delayed, thus increasing the likelihood that they will not reach their intended destinations before their spoilage dates.
Food distribution to schools and others could be stopped or delayed.
Public health and safety could be at risk if equipment used in USDA's many laboratories to detect bacteria, diseases, and unwholesome foods is not compliant.
These are a few of the potential year 2000 computer problems in just one agency of the federal government. Many federal agencies have made tremendous progress in solving their computer problems, but many more have been remiss. Therefore, the role of the Administration through the President' Council on Year 2000 Conversion becomes even more important in ensuring the federal government's readiness for year 2000.
I am encouraged by President Clinton's recent initiatives to increase national and global awareness of the Y2K problem and to facilitate private sector attempts to address it. The President's ``Year 2000 Good Samaritan'' legislation is designed to promote private sector exchange of year 2000-related information and would help our national preparedness for 2000.
Y2K will not just impact the United States. In today's global economy, no area can remain isolated from any other. The United States also will contribute $12 million to assist the World Bank's plan to raise awareness of the problem in developing countries.
I am also encouraged by the recent testing of Y2K compliance by Wall Street firms which are conducting a series of tests to see whether U.S. markets will face Y2K difficulties. These firms represent the type of foresight which will limit any dislocation caused by the Y2K glitch. This is the first known comprehensive effort to check the compliance of corporate America for the Y2K bug, and I hope more sectors of the economy quickly follow suit.
The potential difficulties are almost incalculable, when we consider the tremendous role computers play in our everyday lives. From food distribution to air traffic control. From our monetary infrastructure to electric power grids. Telecommunications systems and traffic lights. All of these necessities we take for granted could be impacted on January 1, 2000.
Congress must continue it's oversight to make certain that the necessary resources are brought to bear on this critical issue. We have made progress, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. The clock is running, and we cannot afford to fail to meet the year 2000 deadline.
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