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High-Tech Other Issue Archives Economy and Taxes Education Health Care High-Tech Natural Resources & Agriculture National Security & Defense   Senator Bennett, former chairman of the High Tech Task Force, joins the current chairman, Senator Smith (R-Ore.), at a press conference to discuss the task force policy agenda for the 110th Congress.  Bennett's High-Tech Highlights   Named chairman of the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 (Y2K) Technology Problem.   Recognized by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) as ‘Legislator of the Year’ in 2000 for his support and leadership on key information technology issues.   Named chairman of the new Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, focuses on facilitating high-tech growth – 106th Congress.   Inducted into High-Tech Legislator Hall of Fame by the American Electronics Association.   Named chairman of the new Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Working Group, the Senate's central clearing house for cyber safety information and CIP issues.   Sponsored and passed legislation to bolster the nation's critical infrastructure and establish a safe conduit through which vital information from the private sector can be shared with the government. Bennett's Y2K Readiness Accomplishments   Named chairman of the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem.   Held 34 public hearings and solicited testimony from more than 150 witnesses to assess the scope and impact of the Y2K problem on both the private and public sectors.   Became known as the leading congressional voice in alerting U.S. government and business to the looming crisis.   Successfully urged President Clinton to appoint a "Year 2000 Czar" to ensure the United States' successful Y2K rollover.   Sponsored legislation to require disclosure by publicly traded companies of their Year 2000 readiness. SEC quickly enacted similar requirements.   Identified additional high-tech industry concerns and issues as a result of close associations with members of high-tech industry leaders.   Helped assure Y2K crisis was averted in making Y2K issues high profile for government and private sector organizations. Accolades For Senator Bennett: "Most knowledgeable Y2K expert in Congress." --Robert Anson-- " I'd like to thank Senator Bennett for kicking us in the butt when we needed it. Without it, I don't think we would have gotten our act together." --Deputy Defense Secretary John J. Hamre-- " He was one of the first people to understand the significance of the issue and helped educate his Senate colleagues. This could have easily turned into a partisan battle." --Harris Miller, President of the Information Technology Association of America-- " Anything Y2K-related that happens from now on can be dealt with minus a sense of panic. For that, people like Bennett and the many others who took the warnings seriously deserve thanks." --Deseret News, January 4, 2000-- For Committee Report: " The most comprehensive report to date on the year 2000 computer problem." --USA Today-- Bennett on the Record Press Releases   • Senate Committee Backs Bennett Homeland Security Requests (06/19/2008)   • Omnibus Spending Bill Includes Over $290 Million Requested by Bennett for Utah Projects (12/19/2007)   • U.S. Senate Gives Utah Meth Fight and New Law Enforcement Tools a Thumbs Up (10/16/2007)   • Wyden, Bennett Team Up to Put Millions of Fuel Efficient Vehicles on the Road (06/14/2007)   • Bennett, Wyden Launch Plan to Put Millions of Energy-Saving Vehicles on American Roads (09/18/2006)   • Bennett’s $3.5 Million Passes Final Hurdle in Senate, Bill Now Goes to the President (11/16/2005)   • Bennett Receives Prestigious Award for Leadership on Information Security Policy (02/24/2004)   • Bennett Announces $1.3 Million for Western Governors University Online Programs (06/19/2003)   • Senator Bob Bennett & Utah Rural Development Council Host 2nd Annual Business Technology Conference (04/11/2003)   • Bennett FOIA Amendment Accepted Unanimously as Part of Homeland Security Bill (07/24/2002)   • Over $16 Million Approved for Hill Computer Facility (07/01/2002)   • Bennett to Ridge: "Cybersecurity must Be Part of National Strategy" (05/29/2002)   • Bennett Conference to Encourage Growth of Rural Utah Business (05/13/2002)   • WSU Dumke College of Health Awarded $150,000 for Three Electronic Classrooms (04/26/2002)   • Bennett Joined by Utah Center for Rural Life to Host Business Technology Conference (04/09/2002)   • NYSE Head and Senior Secret Service Agent to Join Bennett's Conference (04/01/2002)   • Grasso to Keynote Bennett's Financial Services and Technology Conference (03/21/2002)   • Bennett to Address Strengthening Homeland Cyberdefense (10/16/2001)   • Bennett Applauds Bush Appointment of Cybersecurity Advisor (10/09/2001)   • Bennett Introduces Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure Through Information Sharing (09/24/2001)   • 2001 Export Administration Act Passes Senate, Includes Bennett Amendment (09/06/2001)   • Bush Administration Supports Bennett's Move to Repeal Restrictions on Exports of High Performance Computers (03/22/2001)   • Bennett Passes Chairmanship of High-tech Task Force to Allen (03/01/2001)   • Bennett Announces Sixth Annual Financial Services and Technology Conference (02/12/2001)   • Bennett Boosts Patent and Trademark Office Funding to $1.1 Billion, Key to Meeting Unprecedented Growth of High-tech Industry (10/27/2000)   • Senate Votes to Raise Cap on H1-B Visas (10/03/2000)   • High-tech Senator Buys High-tech Car (07/17/2000)   • Senate Approves Bennett Amendment Shortening Review Period for High Performance Computers (07/12/2000)   • Senate Clears Bennett-Schumer Bill Requiring Federal Agencies & Pentagon to Report on Cyber-defense Plans (06/20/2000)   • Bennett Bill Protects Individuals' Political Speech on the Internet, Exempts from Regulation (05/03/2000)   • Senators Sign Bennett Letter Condemning Tactics of Anti-immigration Group Fair (04/20/2000)   • Bennett to Join Clinton on 'New Markets Tour' (04/17/2000)   • Bennett Praises Effort to "Powerup" Utah Kids (04/14/2000)   • Bennett Joins Utah Effort to Bridge Digital Divide (04/13/2000)   • Majority Leader Announces Working Group on Cyber Safety (03/27/2000)   • U.S. Senate Pays Tribute to Bennett for Work on Y2K (03/01/2000)   • Y2K Committee to Issue Final Report (02/28/2000)   • Senator Bennett's Comments as Y2K Committee Disbands (02/28/2000)   • Media Advisory "E-commerce: What's Next?" (02/17/2000)   • Bennett Announces Hearing on Financial Services and Analysis Center (02/16/2000)   • Bennett Supports Legislation Increasing H1-B Visa Caps (02/09/2000)   • Bennett Announces Fifth Annual Financial Services and Technology Conference (02/08/2000)   • High Tech Chairman Praises High Tech Victories (11/18/1999)   • High-Tech Senator Makes High-tech Gift (11/17/1999)   • Bennett Surprised by White House Reversal on Encryption, Looks Forward to Explanation for Position Change (09/16/1999)   • Bennett Calls on Clinton to "Stop Playing Politics with R & D Tax Credit," Make Extension Permanent (08/03/1999)   • Mack and Bennett: JEC High Tech Summit a Great Success (06/16/1999)   • Senate Majority Leader Announces New High-tech Task Force, Names Bennett as Chairman (05/26/1999)   • Bennett's Y2K Disclosure Bill Clears Last Legislative Hurdle, on its Way to White House Where Clinton Expected to Sign (10/01/1998)   • Bennett Praises Clinton Speech on Y2K (07/14/1998)   • Senate Appropriators Target over $2 Billion to Battle Y2K (05/15/1998)   • Senate Year 2000 Committee Calls on Rubin to Address Y2K Threat at G-7 Conference this Weekend (05/13/1998)   • Bennett Introduces Y2K Bill to Protect Americans' Pension Investments, Prevent Interruption of Many Essential Services (05/05/1998)   • U.S. Senate Creates New Committee, Names Bennett as Chairman (04/28/1998)   • Senate Passes Bennet-dodd Year 2000 Bill for Thrifts, Credit Union Compliance (03/06/1998)   • Clinton Takes Bennett's Advice, Appoints Year 2000 Czar (02/05/1998)   • Bennett Year 2000 Bill Prompts SEC to Revise Corporate Disclosure Rules (01/12/1998)   • Bennett Calls for Action on Year 2000 Computer Problem (07/10/1997) Speeches Floor Statements   • Senator Bennett Discusses Cybersecurity (09/11/2007)   • Data Security Act of 2006 (06/26/2006)   • High-tech Task Force (03/13/2002)   • Critical Infrastructure Information Security Act (09/25/2001)   • Countdown to the Year 2000 (05/11/1998)   • The Computer Remediation and Share Holder (CRASH) Protection Act of 1997 (11/10/1997) Other Speeches • "From the Roman Roads to the Information Superhighway: Concepts of Deterrence for Cyberspace," Electronic Industry Association (May 7, 2001)   • "Understanding Risk and U.S. Economic Security," U.S. Chamber of Commerce (March 22, 2001)   • "Keep the Good Times Rolling: Technology and the Global Economy," Brookings Institution P2K National Issues Forum (October 10, 2000)   • "On Eve of 9/9/99; National Y2K Readiness and Lessons for the Future," National Press Club (September 8, 1999)   • "Paul Revere, Not Chicken Little: Who's Sounding the Call for the Year 2000?," National Press Club (June 15, 1998)   • Opening Statement by Senator Bennett, Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology Hearing on Disclosing Year 2000 Readiness (June 10, 1998)   • Opening Statement by Senator Bennett, Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology Hearing on Federal Financial Regulators and the Year 2000 Problem (July 30, 1997)   • Opening Statement by Senator Bennett, Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology Hearing on Year 2000 Problem and Financial Institutions (July 10, 1997) Key Votes   Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, PL 108-100 (H.R. 1474) CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, PL 108-187 (S.877)   Intellectual Property Enforcement Abroad – Foreign Operations, PL 108-199 (H.R. 2800)   Homeland Security Act of 2002, PL 107-296 (H.R. 5005)   Of note: Includes S. 1456, sponsored by Senator Bennett.   Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act, PL 106-37 (S. 96)   Patent Fee Integrity and Innovation Protection Act of 1999, PL 106-42 (S. 1258)   American Investors Protection Act of 1999, PL106-113 (S. 1798, passed as part of H.R. 3194)   Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, PL 106-113 (S. 1255, passed as part of H.R. 3194)   Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, PL 106-229 (S. 761) Details on the above legislation may be found on THOMAS, a service of the Library of Congress website. Additional Resources Congressional Resources Former Y2K Special Committee Website The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Year 2000 Technology Problem Final Report U.S. Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force (HTTF) Congressional Internet Caucus Republican Policy Committee: 106th Congress Technology Accomplishments Utah State Government Utah Cybercrime Task Force Utah Technology Alliance Federal Resources Department of Commerce Technology Website Federal Bureau of Investigation, Intellectual Property Crimes Internet Fraud Complaint Center National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center Technology Administration United States Patent and Trademark Office US-CERT – A partnership between the Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) and the private sector. Other Resources Progress and Freedom Foundation

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