H. Res. 797 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

October 22, 2009. 

Whereas more than 220,000,000 American adults use the 

Internet in the United States, 80 percent of whom connect through broadband connections, to conduct business, 

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 nearly all 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 the management of 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 approximately 93 percent of all teenagers 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 Americans, providing 

access to a range of valuable services, but exposing them 

to potential threats like cyber bullies, predators, and 

identity thieves; 

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

Whereas the Nation’s critical infrastructures and economy 

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 critical infrastructure owners and 

operators face an increasing threat of criminal activity 

and 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, can cause extensive economic harm, and can disable entire systems; 

Whereas coordination among the Federal Government, State, 

local, and tribal governments, and the private sector is 
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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 now more than ever before, 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 cyber 

security and the need for enhanced cyber security in the 

United States; 

Whereas the Cyberspace Policy Review, published by the 

White House in May 2009, recommends that the Federal 

Government initiate a national public awareness and education campaign to promote cyber security; 

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, the MultiState Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and the 

Department of Homeland Security have designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to provide an opportunity to educate United States citizens 

about cyber security: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(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 

encourage the development and implementation of existing and future cyber security consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of 

cyber security in the United States. 

Attest: 

Clerk.