For Immediate Release Contact: Jack Gribben July 1, 1999 (202) 456-7010

Y2K COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS SCHEDULED FOR JULY Communities in 18 States Hold Local Discussions To Help Service Providers, Citizens Prepare for the Century Date Change

Communities in 18 States will hold "Y2K Community Conversations" in July as part of a nation-wide effort to encourage discussions among local service providers and residents about community readiness for the Year 2000 date change, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion announced today.

As of June 30, 1999, 23 communities have informed the Council that they will in July convene their own Y2K Community Conversations, at which residents can hear from, and ask questions of, government and private sector service providers about the date change. The Council launched a nation-wide campaign on May 24 to encourage and support such local discussions with a toolkit and other materials designed to help communities provide more information to residents about the Y2K problem. These materials are available on the Council's web site at www.y2k.gov/community/ or by calling 1-888-USA-4-Y2K.

"Y2K Community Conversations are a great way for citizens to learn more about efforts to ensure that local systems make a successful transition to the Year 2000 and what preparations are appropriate for individual communities," said Council Chair John A. Koskinen. "I am very pleased that more and more communities are using this approach to help their residents better understand the progress that has been made, what the risks are, and what further steps may be appropriate in light of those risks."

Since the campaign announcement in May, communities in nine States have held their own Y2K Community Conversations. They include: Hartford, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; Frankfort, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Nashua, New Hampshire; Durham, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Live Oak, Texas; and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, established on February 4, 1998, by Executive Order 13073, is responsible for coordinating the Federal Government's efforts to address the Year 2000 problem. The Council's more than 30 member agencies are working to promote action on the problem and to offer support to public and private sector organizations within their policy areas. Visit the Council via the Internet at www.y2k.gov. For consumer information on the Year 2000 problem, call the Council's free information line at 1-888-USA-4Y2K.

-- Daren Henderson (TryChange@aol.com), July 13, 1999