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The High-Tech Voting Guide is used to ITI to measure Members of Congress' support for

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   ITI member companies include Agilent Technologies, Amazon.com, AOL Time Warner, Apple Computer, Canon U.S.A., Cisco, Compaq, Corning, Dell, Eastman Kodak, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexmark, Microsoft, Motorola, National Semiconductor, NCR, Panasonic, Siebel, Siemens, SGI, Sony, StorageTek, Sun Microsystems, Symbol Technologies, Tektronix and Unisys.

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   Business Software Alliance Applauds Aggressive Agenda Proposed by Senate Republican High Tech Task Force

   WASHINGTON, DC, Mar. 13.--The Business Software Alliance (BSA) today commended the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force following its release of an aggressive agenda for the 108th Congress aimed at benefiting the technology industry.

   ``The technology industry serves as a primary engine for the U.S. economy, and the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force deserves significant credit in laying out a clear, pro-growth agenda,'' said Robert Holleyman. BSA's President and CEO. ``As the nation moves toward a more positive economic outlook, it is more important than ever to focus Congress' attention on legislative initiatives that will secure sustained growth, create jobs, enforce strong intellectual property protection, promote strong security and spur innovation. The agenda put forth today mirrors many of BSA's own policy objectives and serves as a coherent blueprint to achieve our shared goals.''

   ``The Senate Republican High Tech Task Force has served as a vocal and influential legislative champion on policy issues of critical importance to the high tech industry. We look forward to continuing the partnership we have established with the Task Force and making these goals legislative realities,'' continued Holleyman.

   Last year, BSA joined the Republican High Tech Task Force in promoting number of successful legislative programs. Key legislative achievements included:

   An appropriations increase for anti-piracy prosecutions;

   The three-year, 30-percent accelerated depreciation;

   A two-year extension of the Internet Tax moratortium;

   President Bush's Education Reform Act; and

   Maintaining current encryption export rules.

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   EIA Applauds 2001 Accomplishments of Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force; Looks Forward to Continued Legislative Successes in 2002

   ARLINGTON, VA.--Dave McCurdy, President of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today thanked the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force for their 2001 legislative accomplishments and applauded the rollout of their 2002 agenda.

   McCurdy said: ``Thank Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force has worked closely with the high-tech industry to outline technology priorities during each legislative session. Their involvement and advocacy of issues critical to our industry resulted in major legislative accomplishments in 2001, including Senate passage of the Export Authorization Administration Act and passage of a 3-year, 30 percent accelerated depreciation provision.

   ``We look forward to the continued success of the High Tech Task Force. EIA will work hard to help secure successful completion of their 2002 agenda, which mirrors many of our priority issues, including passage of Trade Promotion Authority.

   ``Granting Trade Promotion Authority has consistently been a priority for the technology industry. In 2000, more than one-third of what the U.S. electronics industry produced was exported overseas--over $200 billion in goods. This means more than one-third of the 1.8 million employees who work for U.S. electronics companies depend on exports for their jobs. International trade and access to foreign markets are critical to our continued success. We look forward to working with the High Tech Task Force in ensuring the quick passage of Trade Promotion Authority in 2002.''

   The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a national trade organization that includes the full spectrum of U.S. manufacturers, representing more than 80% of the $550 billion electronics industry. The Alliance is a partnership of electronic and high tech association and companies whose mission is promoting the market development and competitiveness of the U.S. high tech industry through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is comprised of more than 2,300 member companies whose products and services range from the smallest electronic components to the most complex systems, used by defense, space and industry, including the full range of consumer electronic products. The industry provides more than two million jobs for American workers.

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   TechNet Applauds Senate Republican High Tech Task Force's Agenda for 2002

   PALO ALTO, CA.--The Technology Network (TechNet), a national network of high-tech and bio-tech CEOs, today praised the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force for releasing an agenda that is long on innovation and economic growth and short on government regulation.

   ``The Republican High Tech Task Force is an important portal for our industry, and TechNet in particular,'' said Rick White, CEO of TechNet. ``The agenda they have laid out is consistent with our efforts to spur broadband deployment, expand free trade, and minimize the government's involvement in the technology industry.''

   ``In particular, we appreciate the leadership the Task Force has shown in opposing any effort to require companies to expense stock options,'' continued White. ``This issue is vital to the long term success and stability of our industry.''

   TechNet represents 235 technology and bio-tech companies nationwide. The group is focused on four key issues: making broadband ubiquitous by the end of the decade; passing bi-partisan trade promotion authority legislation; strengthening our education system; and keeping stock options free from being expensed as cash.

   Last week TechNet brought 30 CEOs to Washington, DC for a series of meetings with congressional leaders. The group spent time with Senator George Allen and other members of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force--discussing issues key to the growth of the technology industry.

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   ACT Commends Work of Senate Republican High Tech Task Force on Behalf of Entrepreneurial Tech Companies

   WASHINGTON, DC.--On behalf of its three thousand small- and mid-size high tech member companies, the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) today commended the work of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force (HTTF) in the 107th Congress and applauded its commitment to key issues for this session.

   With the technology industry teetering on the edge of recession, there were several critical policy decisions for small entrepreneurial technology companies in 2001. Thankfully, the HTTF was hard at work on behalf of the industry. The HTTF was instrumental in securing a two year extension to Internet tax ban, the Export Authorization Administration Act and a new 3 year, 30 percent accelerated depreciation schedule for technology equipment. The HTTF was also an important force in thwarting efforts to restrict export rules for encryption that would have been disastrous to software companies, e-commerce and privacy.

   The HTTF technology agenda announced today demonstrates that their continued commitment to providing entrepreneurial technology companies with the ability to succeed. ACT is especially excited by HTTF's goals for issues such as protecting privacy, educating a workforce for the 21st century, expanding free trade and updating our nation's tax code to reflect the realities of the New Economy.

   ``The Republican Senate High Tech Task Force has been a powerful ally for entrepreneurial technology companies. ACT looks forward to working the issues that will be critical to ensuring the continued success of the American technology industry,'' said ACT President Jonathan Zuck.

   ACT is a national education and advocacy group for the technology industry. Representing mostly small- and mid-size companies, ACT is the industry's strongest voice when it comes to preserving competition and innovation in the high tech sector. ACT's membership includes businesses involved in all aspects of the IT sector including computer software and hardware development, IT consulting and training, dot-coms.

   Mr. ALLEN. I now yield to the Senator from Montana, Mr. Burns, who has been a strong and knowledgeable advocate and leader of improving technology. The Commonwealth of Virginia has rural areas, but not as many as Montana. One of the ways that rural areas, whether out West, or in the South, or in Hawaii, can benefit from technology and communication is with leadership of people such as Senator Burns.

   I yield to Senator Burns.

   The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The distinguished Senator from Montana is recognized.

   Mr. BURNS. I thank my good friend from Virginia. The Senator from Virginia has rural areas; we have frontier areas. That kind of draws a distinction. I think the Senator from Virginia has picked up a big part of the responsibility of furthering the agenda of high technology because our States do have a lot of similarity, such as in distance learning and telemedicine. These areas are isolated by mountains, where communications and the free flow of information have eluded people. Of course, with that in mind, I think he has picked up on what he wants to do with his State of Virginia, so that not only Northern Virginia benefits from research and development but the advancement of the information age, and also that the rest of the State can participate in it as well.

   If you look at my State of Montana, you see we have similar challenges ahead of us. I congratulate Senator

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   Senator Allen went over the list that pretty well sets our priorities, and not necessarily in that order; they are all very important.

   I am a member of the Internet caucus, which is a bipartisan group. This year in our opening reception we had over 40 exhibitors. Senator Allen came. Approximately 1,000 people attended that reception. The free flow of information has become very important.

   I want to go over a couple of points. I gave a lot of speeches before I ever came to the Senate saying there have been three interventions that have changed our whole way of life. It has really brought the size of our planet down considerably. First is the jet engine, second is the transistor, and third is the silicon chip. In a matter of hours, we can be anywhere in the world. We can in 5 seconds exchange ideas visually and audibly anywhere in the world, whether it be land line or through space. The silicon chip has sped up the way we handle information. It has changed our life forever. This planet is smaller because of those inventions.

   Look at what has happened since. As the information age came upon us, we realized as far back as 1989 and 1990, when I first came to the Senate, that the policies that guided the infrastructure for that flow of information were passed in 1934. We soon understood that some policy changes were going to have to take place before we could see gigantic moves or an extension of the way we were to deal with the free flow of information. As a result, it only took 6 years to pass the Telco Act of 1996 because we were trying to set policy for technologies that went way beyond what was thought in 1935.

   The free flow of information is democracy. We all base our decisions on the information we get. As long as it is a free flow of information, a free flow of ideas, our democracy and our Republic will remain strong and people will participate in the political arena. Freedom equals opportunity, but it is also held together by an ingredient called responsibility.

   We were not finished looking at the policies before we got the Internet, this great infrastructure of information. We have to take a look at the insurance to be sure we have sound organizations as the gatekeepers.

   Specifically, before we can look at the complex area of comprehensive spectrum reform, we should keep in mind the vital nature of spectrum to those on the front line of homeland defense, our first responders: The police, fire, medical, public health, and other emergency response agencies.

   We passed a bill in the last Congress that is revolutionizing the cell phone industry. For the first time, we made 911 the national emergency number. Now, with new technology, one can dial 911 on a cell phone and reach the nearest first responder. Before, in the cell phone industry, if one dialed 911, they were apt to get anybody anywhere. The calls now go into the nearest communications center that can handle an emergency.

   Another topic that will prove of utmost importance to critical infrastructure is the operation of a shadowy

   organization known as the Internet Corporation for Names and Numbers, commonly known as ICANN. The formation of ICANN originated with the so-called green and white papers of the Clinton administration in 1998 that proposed the delegation of control of the domain name system from the Commerce Department to an entirely new organization which would be a new, not-for-profit corporation formed by private sector Internet stakeholders.

   The Clinton administration further proposed that the U.S. Government should end its role in the Internet numbers and names address system. Soon thereafter, ICANN was created and the Commerce Department began to delegate the functions of the Internet domain name system to it.

   In the eyes of many critics, this delegation has happened far too swiftly. While ICANN is supposed to function by consensus of the Internet community, its operation has often been controversial and shrouded in mystery. Recently, even the President of ICANN, Stuart Lynn, admitted publicly the organization is not working and needs to undergo comprehensive structural reform because it is losing sight of effectiveness in accomplishing our real mission.

   Taking into account that the ICANN mission is ensuring the stable and secure management of the Internet domain system, I am extremely concerned at these developments which are so critical to our national security.

   In another area, to make the Internet more responsible and make it respond to the users, to give the users confidence in this system, we have to look at spamming. Spamming is the receiving of unwanted junk mail. I do not know of a time on my address anyway that I have received more spam than I am right now. It is a lot more than when I was in the U.S. Marine Corps, I can tell you that. The irresponsible use of spamming by marketers cannot be tolerated. To ensure the free flow of information and confidence in this system, we have to take a look at privacy.

   Those are the areas we should be focusing on now in order to let this great technology be a workhorse for us.

   I thank the chairman of the high-tech task force. I applaud him for his leadership in taking on this great responsibility. I yield the floor.

   The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.

   Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Montana for his eloquent remarks, his strong leadership, and his understanding that with freedom come innovation and improvements in our lives.

   I now yield to Senator Bennett of Utah who was chairman of this task force previous to me but is still a leader on our task force and someone who is greatly respected in the area of technology and, as I mentioned earlier, he has provided the key leadership in the Senate on cyber-security.

   I yield to the Senator from Utah, Mr. Bennett.

   The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Utah is recognized for 1 minute.

   Mr. BENNETT. I thank the Chair.

   Mr. President, my plea is very simple and can be stated in 1 minute: We must, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, think anew and act anew, recognizing that in the cyber-age, many of the attitudes we have had about warfare, about vulnerability, about opportunity have to be thought through entirely differently.

   If we can understand that and put aside some of our old prejudices and old ideas about technology and about regulation, we will be on the road to the prosperity and security we need. If we cling to the old ideas, the old paradigms with respect to information sharing and antitrust activities, we are in for serious trouble.

   So in 1 minute, that is my message. Let us think anew, let us act anew, and let us recognize the technological age has changed everything.

   I yield the floor.

   Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President. I rise today to briefly speak about the importance of technology to our economy and our way of life.

   Just think about how technology has changed our lives over the past few decades. Not so long ago, documents could only be sent through the mail, computers were enormous metal boxes with limited functionality, and the Internet--although it had been invented--was neither user friendly nor accessible. When I was growing up, watching television meant the handful of network channels we could get from an antenna on the roof; and when our car broke down we'd have to hitch hike to the next gas station or pay phone to call for help. It's hard to believe that for my three young children, those are things of the past. They're used to cell phones and cable TV.

   We now live in a world where technology represents one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of our economy. Technology employs millions of Americans and was largely responsible for the tremendous economic expansion from 1994 to 2000. Technology certainly helped fuel the growth of my State's economy. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Nevada is second in the Nation for net creation of high-tech businesses. And I strongly encourage that growth because those

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   Advances in technology have made our personal lives easier and our professional lives more productive. Speed bumps in the communication process have been eliminated and replaced with wireless phones and e-mail. Advances in technology and the Internet now allow me to visit regularly with my constituents in Nevada while I am working in Washington through a real-time video teleconferencing network. Constituents of mine back in Nevada are able to listen to my remarks here on the Senate floor by logging on to my website.

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