"Virtually all" of the federal government's mission critical computer systems will be ready for the Year 2000 by President Clinton's due date of March 31, 1999, administration Y2K czar John Koskinen said Tuesday.
In an appearance at the National Press Club, Koskinen said the agencies behind schedule include the Agency for International Development and the Defense, Energy, Transportation and Health and Human Services departments.
"The largest number of big challenges is in the Defense Department," Koskinen said, both because of its size and the number of "smart weapons" in operation. But he added that the Defense Department is now sharply focused on the Y2K changeover--even to the exclusion of confronting other technological challenges--and said he was assured by Defense officials last week that smart weapons that are not upgraded will shut down and not end up "flying around."
The government's Y2K problem will begin in earnest on Oct. 1, 1999, Koskinen noted, when FY2000 begins.
In his speech, Koskinen unveiled the "National Campaign for Year 2000 Solutions"--an effort run by the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, which Koskinen chairs. The campaign will seek to promote federal, state and local government cooperation with the private sector in solving year 2000 computer problems.
Appearing with Koskinen was acting Energy Secretary Elizabeth Moler, who showcased the Energy Department's cooperation with the electric power industry in safeguarding the continuity of operations after the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, 1999.
Koskinen also announced that legislation intended to facilitate the sharing of information between corporations and industry groups seeking to address the Y2K problem will be introduced with bipartisan backing in both the House and Senate Wednesday. But he told CongressDaily he is pessimistic Congress will act on the bill before the end of the session. "It's a long shot," acknowledged Koskinen. "If we had more time left [before adjournment], it would be easier."
The bill is strongly supported by both the White House and Congress' leading critic of the administration's Y2K effort, House Government Reform Government Management, Information and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Steve Horn, R-Calif.
The measure would protect companies that share Y2K knowledge that turns out to be incorrect against lawsuits, unless they knew the information was false or were grossly negligent in providing bad information. The bill does not apply to companies that may want to sue computer firms that provide systems which fail after the year 2000 begins.
Koskinen warned groups hoping to provide legal protections for such companies not to add the issue into the debate on Capitol Hill this year, saying it could detract from efforts to pass the legislation. Koskinen deems the bill vital, saying that if he "could do one thing in the next 17 months" before the year 2000, it would be to pass this bill.
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