STORY:
Gov't Y2K Chief Announces New Campaign

The White House's Y2K czar has announced a nationwide campaign to promote readiness in small government and private institutions, where he said response lags.

John Koskinen, who heads the White House Council on Y2K says "if people wait, they are likely to be at the end of a very long line of people who waited. The greatest risk of failure is at the local level."

Koskinen has led the mobilization to upgrade the federal government's computer networks and claims 92 percent of critical federal systems are ready. According to an article in the Detroit News from the Gannett News Service, Koskinen offered few specifics about local problems. But, he said, a lack of concern appears to be widespread.

He announced his office will now lead a series of town hall-style meetings on the topic - dubbed "Y2K community conversations" - beginning next month. The meetings will begin June 7 in Hartford, Conn., and continue in such places as Green Bay, Wis., and Des Moines, Iowa, through August.

Community leaders and others who are willing to lead similar campaigns are urged to make use of his office's resources, which include free "tool kits" with a video and guides to conducting readiness meetings, answers to frequently asked questions and checklists of problem areas. The materials can be obtained free of charge by going to the council's Web site at www.y2k.gov or by calling toll free 1-888-USA-4Y2K (888-872-4925).

Source: Detroit News / Gannett News Service

DATE: 5/25/99

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