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.
“THE MICROSOFT RULING” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S14692 on Nov. 17, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE MICROSOFT RULING
Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, two core principles guide our economy, competition and the rule of law. In the absence of competition there is no innovation or consumer choice. For over 100 years the anti-trust laws have served as an indispensable bullwark to ensure that unfettered competition does not result in monopoly power that stifles innovation and denies consumers a choice.
So it is curious that a veritable who's who of ``conservative'' politicians and think tanks unleashed a barrage of faxes attacking Federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's decision in United States v. Microsoft.
Based on a voluminous record, Judge Jackson found that Microsoft had succeeded in ``stifling innovations that would benefit consumers, for the sole reason that they do not coincide with Microsoft's self-
interest.''
The factual findings of the District Court held that ``Microsoft will use its prodigious market power and immense profits to harm any firm that insists on pursuing initiatives that could intensify competition against one of its core products.''
According to the District Court, Microsoft ``foreclosed an opportunity for PC makers to make Windows PC systems less confusing and more user-friendly as consumers desired.''
The record included the testimony of numerous high tech entrepreneurs who felt the lash of Microsoft's monopolistic wrath. From IBM's inability to gain support for its OS2/Warp operating system to Apple's inability to effectively compete with Windows to threats to cut off Netscape's ``oxygen supply,'' Microsoft engaged in a pernicious pattern of anticompetitive behavior, openly flaunting the rule of law. Perhaps the most damning of all was the evasive testimony of Microsoft founder William Gates.
It is, frankly, a record that is quite embarrassing. But rather than show remorse, Microsoft has embarked on a vendetta to punish the outstanding group of Justice Department lawyers who bested its minions of high-payed lawyers and spin doctors.
So, Mr. President, let me take this opportunity to praise the Justice Department's Antitrust Division and its leader Joel Klein. It is well known that I had my doubts about Mr. Klein, but I am pleased to say, and not too proud to admit, that I misjudged him. He is doing an outstanding job.
In the long run, failure to promote competition and innovation will undermine our preeminence in the high tech arena.
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