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From: Pete
To: Ken Date: Friday, October 6, 2000 THE HILL REPORT A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Pete Sessions Week of September 30 - October 6, 2000 This Week in Washington, the United States House of Representatives continued its work on the appropriations process for funding of the fiscal year of 2001. The House passed the conference reports on the energy, interior and transportation appropriations bills. We also passed a continuing resolution agreement that will keep the government running until all 13 appropriations bills are passed and signed into law by the president. On Monday of this week, as Chairman of the Congressional Results Caucus and a member of the Congressional Cyber Security Caucus, I toured the high-tech corridor of Boston, Massachusetts today to learn about high-tech issues such as information security, e-signature legislation and Internet taxation. I organized the trip to draw attention to the need for more implementation of information technology security not only among federal and other governmental agencies but in the private sector as well. The Congressional Cyber Security Caucus exists in part to educate other members of Congress and government agencies of the vital need for secure information technology systems. The trip came on the heels of a recent General Accounting Office (GAO) report to Congress that clearly stated that too many government operations and assets remain at risk of cyber attack. The GAO discovered serious security flaws at major federal agencies such as the Treasury Department and the Department of Defense - situations clearly indicating large potential threats to citizen privacy and national security. Some of the computer systems that run our national defense and military operations are literally an open target to hostile nations or terrorists who have cyber terrorism technology. Both accidental and intentional attacks on these very systems have been detected and we must take steps to stop them. I was joined by Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA), Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT), Congressman John Sununu (R-NH), Congressman Jack Quinn (R-NY), Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), and other prominent business, community and financial leaders. We attended a meeting at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with area CEOs and high-tech leaders, representing the financial, communications and technology community. The discussion was hosted by TechNet Massachusetts to discuss creating digital opportunities, H-1B visas, protection of online privacy, and taxation of Internet transactions. I believe that any government agency using information systems and is linked to the outside world MUST have an efficient and secure information security system. The potential privacy and security threat is not something we should take lightly and unfortunately too many high-level government officials are doing just that! Any major business, industry or government organization must consider the threat of cyber attack and how it could be a devastating situation to customers and citizens. I can't imagine any of my constituents being interested in having their private banking information being made public to anyone on the Internet. Security and privacy must be a priority and the businesses and organizations that possess this sensitive information can not afford the risk of intrusion. Members also met with high-tech officials, Governor Paul Cellucci (R-MA), and Lt. Governor Jane Swift (R-MA) to discuss the future of the information technology industry as well as pending legislation in Congress designed to address the pressing needs of New Economy companies. Earlier this year, I digitally signed the "The e-Contract 2000" with high-tech America to renew his commitment to promoting the New Economy in the 21st century. I pledge to continue my legislative and oversight efforts to remove the barriers to future innovation, competition, and growth. Freedom is the answer, not government intervention. The New Economy has created limitless opportunities in America today for consumers, companies and workers alike. The e-Contract 2000 outlines a number of policies the Republican-controlled Congress has designed to promote continued growth in the New Economy, such as "Reducing Taxation, Regulation, and Litigation" and "Promoting Free Trade and E-Commerce." Also this year I voted for continued growth in the new economy by supporting the "Internet Non-Discrimination Act" (H.R. 3709), to extend the current Internet tax moratorium for an additional 5 years, through 2006. The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 352-75. The tremendous growth of e-commerce has created thousands of high-wage jobs in this country and has led to countless new choices for Texas consumers. The group with me today believes the New Economy should remain unfettered by burdensome taxes and regulation, to ensure continued growth and innovation into the 21st century. Around Texas... Last Friday, I spoke to the advanced placement Government and Economics classes at Palestine High School. I pointed out to them that our Constitutional form of government is really just an on-going experiment, and that the continued success of our country depends on the participation of all of our citizens. I told them that I am confident that we can solve every problem in America. I always enjoy speaking with enthusiastic young people, and I want to give every student an opportunity to experience and understand our government. On Saturday I went to the St. Thomas - Aquinas children's carnival, and that evening I attended a fundraising event to benefit "For the Love of the Lake." This is one of my favorite community projects. I have adopted part of the shoreline of White Rock Lake, and would encourage all of you to come help out at our "Second Saturday Clean-up." See my web site for more information. Tomorrow I will see my friends in Anderson County at the Anderson County Cattle Baron's Ball. And in two weeks, I will be in Bryan for a Town Hall Meeting. See the notice at the end of this e-mail. Next week Congress is hoping to finish its work on the budget for fiscal year 2001. Have a great weekend! - Pete <<< Town Hall Meeting <<< Brazos and Robertson County Town Hall Meeting WHEN: Saturday, October 21, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm WHERE: GTE Building 501 Industrial Blvd Bryan, Texas Have an old cell phone? Donate it and save a life....... http://www.house.gov/sessions/calltoprotect.htm ========================================== Please write to me using the e-mail form on my web site: http://www.house.gov/sessions/forms/intouch.htm Please do not use your "REPLY" button to reply to this e-mail. The "REPLY TO" address at the top of this e-mail ("email_newsletter@mail.house.gov") is used by our computer system to maintain our list of subscribers. Visit my web site at: http://www.house.gov/sessions Each week we add a number of new recipients to our mailing list. If you accidentally received two copies of this e-mail, please feel free to recycle the extra copy, or pass it on to a friend. If you wish to no longer receive this weekly newsletter, please send an e-mail using the form on my web page with the box beside "unsubscribe" checked. The form is located at: http://www.house.gov/sessions/forms/intouch.htm If you would like to receive this newsletter at another e-mail account, or if this e-mail was forwarded to you, and you would like to begin receiving your own copy, rather than a second-hand dog-eared copy, send an e-mail using the form on the following page: http://www.house.gov/sessions/forms/intouch.htm This newsletter was printed using recycled electrons. ==========================================
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