H. Res. 716 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

October 16, 2007. 

Whereas more than 200,000,000 American adults use the 

Internet in the United States, 70 percent of whom connect through broadband connections, to communicate 

with family and friends, manage finances and pay bills, 

access educational opportunities, shop at home, participate in online entertainment and games, and stay informed of news and current events; 

Whereas United States small businesses, which represent 

more than 99 percent of all United States employers and 

employ more than 50 percent of the private workforce, 

increasingly rely on the Internet to manage their businesses, expand their customer reach, and enhance their 

connection with their supply chain; 

Whereas nearly 100 percent of public schools in the United 

States have Internet access, with a significant percentage 

of instructional rooms connected to the Internet to enhance children’s education by providing access to educational online content and encouraging self-initiative to 

discover research resources; 

Whereas almost 9 in 10 teenagers between the ages of 12 

and 17, or approximately 87 percent of all youth, use the 

Internet; 
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Whereas the number of children who connect to the Internet 

at school continues to rise, and teaching children of all 

ages to become good cyber-citizens through safe, secure, 

and ethical online behaviors and practices is essential to 

protect their computer systems and potentially their 

physical safety; 

Whereas the growth and popularity of social networking 

websites has attracted millions of teenagers, providing access to a range of valuable services, making it all the 

more important to teach teenaged users how to avoid potential threats like cyber bullies, predators, and identity 

thieves they may come across while using such services; 

Whereas cyber security is a critical part of the Nation’s overall homeland security; 

Whereas the Nation’s critical infrastructures rely on the secure and reliable operation of information networks to 

support the Nation’s financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, health care, and emergency response systems; 

Whereas cyber attacks have been attempted against the Nation and the United States economy, and the Department 

of Homeland Security’s mission includes securing the 

homeland against cyber terrorism and other attacks; 

Whereas Internet users and information infrastructure holders face an increasing threat of malicious attacks through 

viruses, worms, Trojans, and unwanted programs such as 

spyware, adware, hacking tools, and password stealers, 

that are frequent and fast in propagation, are costly to 

repair, and can cause extensive economic harm; 

Whereas coordination between the numerous Federal agencies 

involved in cyber security efforts, including the Depart-
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ment of Homeland Security, the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and others is essential to securing America’s critical 

cyber infrastructure; 

Whereas millions of records containing personally-identifiable 

information have been lost, stolen or breached, threatening the security and financial well-being of United 

States citizens; 

Whereas consumers face significant financial and personal 

privacy losses due to identity theft and fraud; 

Whereas national organizations, policymakers, government 

agencies, private sector companies, nonprofit institutions, 

schools, academic organizations, consumers, and the 

media recognize the need to increase awareness of computer security and the need for enhanced computer security in the United States; 

Whereas the National Cyber Security Alliance’s mission is to 

increase awareness of cyber security practices and technologies to home users, students, teachers, and small 

businesses through educational activities, online resources 

and checklists, and Public Service Announcements; and 

Whereas the National Cyber Security Alliance has designated 

October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to 

provide an opportunity to educate United States citizens 

about computer security: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber 

Security Awareness Month; and 

(2) intends to work with Federal agencies, national 

organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to 
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encourage the voluntary development and use implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary 

consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order 

to enhance the state of computer security in the United 

States. 

Attest: 

Clerk.