Asserting that some of the most serious risks of year 2000 computer problems are at the local level, White House Y2K czar John Koskinen is distributing free tool kits to help local leaders build a platform for conversations about year 2000 preparations.
"The goal of the campaign is not to be cheerleaders or to present a false sense of security," Koskinen said Monday. "This is a national campaign for local conversations. This is not the government coming in and telling communities what to do."
The President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion is distributing the kits, which include a guidebook on how to kick off local Y2K discussions and a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the issue.
At least 12 "community conversations" have been scheduled for this summer, with state governments taking the lead. Other industry sectors, including banking and healthcare, are also sponsoring events.
Koskinen said if a sizable number of communities hold Y2K discussions, it could "encourage laggards" to start addressing the issue.
"Our concern is the people who say it's not a big deal," he said. "Ultimately the problem gets solved at the local level."
Koskinen also praised new legislation introduced by Rep. Harold Ford, D-TN, that would designate July as "National Y2K Disclosure Month." H.R. 1884 would require federal agencies to disclose their Y2K readiness and contingency plans, and would encourage local communities to disclose their readiness as well. Ford had originally proposed a bill calling for a national Y2K testing day that was criticized by Koskinen for being impractical.
The kits can be ordered online at www.y2k.gov or by calling the federal Y2K hotline at (888) USA-4-Y2K (888-872-4925).
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