The U.S. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight

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This model should be replicated. Markers or benchmarks must be developed for the broad spectrum of year 2000 problems across the country. The year 2000 computer problem will not be resolved unless we approach it systematically. A results-oriented approach to year 2000 will go a long way to moving the United States constructively into the 21st century.

One of the most difficult jobs in any human organization is to develop these markers, the behavioral standards, benchmarks, the points along the way toward achieving goals. These markers measure performance and are meant to hold people accountable for their performance. A few State and national governments have shown leadership here.

5. Citizens Should Demand Information on Year 2000 Readiness from their State and Local Governments, their Utility Companies, and Other Organizations upon which they are Dependent.

As noted above, there are at least two significant barriers to effective year 2000 remediation: (1) Management denial: the reluctance of senior management to recognize the year 2000 problem and make the hard choices necessary to solve it; and (2) fear of legal liability, which can have the effect of stifling the kind of disclosure and exchange of information necessary to solve the problem. These barriers to serious year 2000 efforts must be broken down. Perhaps the most effective means of doing so is public pressure. Profit-making organizations respond to pressure from consumers; political institutions respond to pressure from constituents; nonprofit organizations respond to their donors and public opinion as well.

Furthermore, the year 2000 problem raises the specter of widespread panic. There has been talk of customers withdrawing their money out of banks, stockpiling weapons, and taking other steps that could be more dangerous than the technological failure itself. One of the best antidotes to this panic is information. People need to speak directly with their banks, utility companies, and other organizations whose failure would have drastic consequences. They need to assure themselves that the fixes will be made. They need to know, based on direct contact, that there is no reason to panic. And they need to know what reasonable steps should be taken to prepare as January 1, 2000 approaches ...

The ProFutures Financial Group stated that investors have not been given adequate disclosure of year 2000 issues by public companies. In addition, the ProFutures Financial Group stated that the Federal Reserve must start releasing the names of banks which are behind in their compliance programs. A consultant with Roma International stated that many vendors, suppliers, customers are either refusing to respond to year 2000 inquiries or are responding with vague generalities on the advice of their legal counsels. This consultant was uncertain whether a 'safe harbor' bill would improve the situation.

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