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Statement By The President on OMB's Final Quarterly Report

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The Briefing Room


THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release December 14, 1999



STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

With the end of the year in sight, I am pleased to release OMB’s final quarterly report that shows that the Federal government is ready for the year 2000. As of today, 99.9 per cent of the government’s mission critical computer systems are Y2K compliant. They have been fixed, tested and certified as ready for operation on January 1, 2000. We have met the challenge of making sure that the federal government can continue to serve the American people as we enter the next century.

Three years ago when we started our intensive work on Y2K, only one-fifth of the mission critical systems was ready. Many said that the Federal government was not up to the job, that the deadline would not be met, and that the price tag would be exorbitant, as much as $50 billion dollars.

Today, the facts are clear: we have done our job, we have met the deadline, and we have done it at below cost. I want to thank the thousands of dedicated men and women of the Federal government, who spent long hours, late nights, and many weekends, getting us ready for the New Year. Many of these same people will be mobilized and working throughout the New Year’s weekend. Thanks to them, we have every reason to approach the change-over with confidence about the operations of the Federal government.

However, no amount of preparation can prevent us from glitches. For this reason, there are back-up plans, so that the critical functions of the Federal government can continue.

For many others, including smaller businesses and local governments, there is still work to do between now and the end of the year. I urge them to make every effort possible to fix as many computer systems as they can, and to develop contingency plans if they are needed.

As we turn our thoughts to a new year, Americans have every right to be proud of the work of their government and its employees. They will continue to work vigilantly through the holidays and into the new year so that America may celebrate the arrival of a new Millennium.


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Privacy Statement

What's New December 1999

A Millennium Invitation from the President and the First Lady

Statement on OMB's Final Quarterly Report

Remarks at Human Rights Day/Eleanor Roosevelt Award Ceremony

Remarks at Foster Care Event

Remarks on Health Care

Remarks by President Clinton, Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Al-Shara

Press Conference on Middle East Peace Process

Statement Regarding Peace Between Israel & Syria

Remarks on Bridging the Digital Divide

Remarks at Signing Ceremony for Human Rights

Remarks at Memorial Service for Worcester Firefighters

Remarks at Clean Car Event

Remarks to the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce

Remarks at D.C. Central Kitchen

Release of the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health

Remarks at Signing of ILO Convention #182

Intiative To Protect Consumers Buying Prescription Drug Products Over The Internet

Statement By The President on FY2001 Budget

Remarks on Land Preservation

Statement By The Press Secretary on the Internet

The President's Christmas Message

Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights, & Human Rights Week 1999

The President's Kwanzaa Message

RAMADAN 1999