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 con-
nect 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 rep-
resent more than 99 percent of all United States employ-
ers and employ more than 50 percent of the private 
workforce, increasingly rely on the Internet to manage 
their businesses, expand their customer reach, and en-
hance 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 en-
hance children’s education by providing access to edu-
cational online content and encouraging self-initiative to 
discover research resources; 
Whereas approximately 93 percent of all teenagers use the 
Internet;
•HRES 797 EH 
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 over-
all 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, en-
ergy, telecommunications, transportation, health care, 
and emergency response systems; 
Whereas cyber attacks have been attempted against the Na-
tion 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, hack-
ing tools, and password stealers, that are frequent and 
fast in propagation, are costly to repair, can cause exten-
sive economic harm, and can disable entire systems; 
Whereas coordination among the Federal Government, State, 
local, and tribal governments, and the private sector is
•HRES 797 EH 
essential to securing America’s critical cyber infrastruc-
ture; 
Whereas millions of records containing personally identifiable 
information have been lost, stolen or breached, threat-
ening the security and financial well-being of United 
States citizens; 
Whereas now more than ever before, consumers face signifi-
cant 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 edu-
cation campaign to promote cyber security; 
Whereas the National Cyber Security Alliance’s mission is to 
increase awareness of cyber security practices and tech-
nologies 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 Multi- 
State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and the 
Department of Homeland Security have designated Octo-
ber as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to pro-
vide an opportunity to educate United States citizens 
about cyber security: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
•HRES 797 EH 
(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 exist-
ing and future cyber security consensus standards, prac-
tices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of 
cyber security in the United States. 
Attest: 
Clerk.