Same US Senator says it's your Home Town that counts

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Senator Robert Bennett, chairperson, Senate Special Committee on Y2K, appeared on the PBS News Hour, March 2, 1999 - the day his committee's 1998 report was released (background in this forum). Among other things, here's what he had to say about what he thinks we all ought to be concerned about and doing.

Question: What is your view of the overall risk Americans face because of the year 2000 problem?

I think America as a whole will be all right. I think there'll be some problems, but they'll be localized, and how seriously they disrupt your life will frankly depend on where you live and where you work. If your employer isn't compliant, or if your town isn't compliant, you might have water problems, or other problems, when most Americans are saying, "Gee. This is no big deal."

Question: What is your committee recommending for individuals and the nation?

To individuals I recommend take charge of your own y2k problem. Don't sit around and read the news and say, "This is gonna happen nationwide, therefore I'm gonna panic." What happens nationwide is less important to you than what's going to happen in your home town. Talk to your own banker. Talk to your own city hall. Ask the question whether or not your city's gonna have a water supply. I've done that with the mayor of Salt Lake City, and she assures me that everything's gonna be all right - that's where I expect to be on New Year's Eve.

Look at your own records. Look at your pharmaceutical needs. Talk to your pharmacist. Understand what you need and take charge. Make your own contingency plans and you'll be fine.


Click here to read the Executive Summary of his committee's report.

-- Bill (billdale@lakesnet.net), March 02, 1999


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