E2062 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 16, 2003 IN REMEMBRANCE OF MOTHER Our business was victimized by a number The stories I’ve shared with you today un- TERESA OF CALCUTTA of computer viruses on one occasion. We had derscore the prevalence of computer infec- hired an IT consultant to provide mainte- tions. Furthermore, computer viruses are a nance of our network, but unfortunately HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS they were not keeping up with our virus pro- ‘‘real problem’’ not just for businesses, but OF PENNSYLVANIA tection. As a result we had to replace our home users are also affected by this costly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES server, upgrade our system, and subse- burden. An unemployed constituent, a commu- quently fire our IT consultant. This episode nity college, a bank and a father, all have Thursday, October 16, 2003 cost our small business over $10,000 without been victimized by computer viruses. Com- Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to considering the lost time we incurred. Vi- puter viruses affect all of us. honor the exceptional life of Mother Teresa, ruses are a threat to all businesses.... The There is much work ahead of us to eradi- who began her decades of service to human- lesson is buyers beware when hiring an IT cate threat, so I thank each of the witnesses ity with the simple goal of helping the less for- consultant, but more importantly as busi- for being here today to discuss this important nesses become more dependant on the Inter- tunate and grew to be a symbol for human net, Internet security becomes a very impor- topic and I look forward to your testimony. rights all over the world. tant issue. Again, I would like to thank the Chairman and At the age of eighteen, Mother Teresa be- Mission Hills Mortgage Bankers/Gateway Ranking Member for having this hearing. came a Roman Catholic sister, the beginning Business Bank wrote in and said: f of her life as an educator, a leader, and a During the height of the virus-infected e- servant of God. Perhaps her greatest accom- INTRODUCING THE MARINE MAM- mail, Mission Hills Mortgage Bankers/Gate- MAL PRESERVATION AND RE- plishment was the establishment of the reli- way Business Bank webmail site was gious order, Missionaries of Charity. With over swamped with thousands of virus-laden e- COVERY ACT (MMPRA) OF 2003 5,000 sisters, the goal of Missionaries of Char- mails a day in August and September. Fortu- ity is to help the poor in all aspects of life, pro- nately, our firewall and virus software HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. viding food, clothing, and shelter to millions of caught and cleaned up the e-mail, but the OF NEW JERSEY sanitized e-mail was passed through to the the world’s most destitute. Additionally, Mother IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Teresa initiated countless relief projects, inter- individuals to whom it was addressed. Per- sonally, I was deleting 30 to 50 e-mails a day, Thursday, October 16, 2003 national peace-keeping missions, and medical both annoying and time consuming. assistance projects for the needy. Later in life, What I didn’t know was how vulnerable a Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, when the Ma- even as her own health deteriorated, she home computer with DSL or cable access is rine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was en- pressed on with new projects, including the without a firewall even with virus-checker acted in 1972, it was with a vision of protec- creation of hospice programs for those living software. I wasn’t aware that viruses can tion and precaution. It was created to right the with AIDS. come thru to your computer in ways other ecological wrongs caused by generations of A well-deserving recipient of the Nobel than on an e-mail until I got one. That was slaughter driven by our collective greed for the a month ago. I purchased and installed a Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of products that marine mammals supplied. The firewall right away. But I am still experi- founding goal of the MMPA was to provide a Freedom, the impact of this remarkable encing a problem with my computer. Appar- woman will last forever. I could not be more ently, the damage to files can remain after broad moratorium on the taking of marine pleased to join in remembering Mother Teresa the virus is cleaned up. mammals in order to maintain and rebuild of Calcutta as a shining example of selfless This problem has not only affected busi- healthy populations of whales and dolphins, dedication to human kindness. She was an in- nesses. Rio Hondo College wrote in and said: seals and sea lions, and other marine mam- mals. spiring example for us all. We were hit hard by the ‘‘worm’’ at Rio f Hondo College during the first week of our To a noteworthy extent, protection and pre- semester this Fall. Our mainframe computer caution have paid off. We should celebrate YOU’VE GOT MAIL—BUT IS IT SE- and every desktop computer on campus were that some marine mammal species have re- CURE? AN EXAMINATION OF unusable for a week. We could not register covered to estimated pre-harvest levels. But INTERNET VULNERABILITIES AF- students, certify athletic eligibility of ath- we should not be lulled into a false sense of FECTING BUSINESSES, GOVERN- letes, process financial aid requests, conduct complacency. Many populations, such as MENTS, AND HOMES many classes, or function in any capacity for North Atlantic right whales and bowhead a whole week. Eight weeks later we are still whales in the Arctic, remain endangered. We ´ trying to get computers and printers and e- HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ mail functioning for every one. also cannot ignore that the full breadth and in- tensity of human activity in the ocean, includ- OF CALIFORNIA Diane Schumacher wrote in and said: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing shipping, oil and gas exploration, and mili- I had a virus in September of this year. It tary activity, has a profound effect on marine was the SO/BIG Virus. I got it when I pur- Thursday, October 16, 2003 mammals, even if we do not seek to kill them ´ chased an item over the Internet that came Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. with an attachment. I have been laid-off. The outright. Speaker, I would like to commend Chairman last thing I needed was to be out of contact It is for these reasons that I introduce this DAVIS and Ranking Member WAXMAN for call- with not only EDD, the Employment Devel- bill today that would reauthorize the Marine ing this important hearing on Internet opment Department, but also with my job Mammal Protection Act in a way that pre- vulnerabilities and security threats. One such search and support groups. Not to mention serves its precautionary intent. Summarizing vulnerability is computer viruses and I know the expense of repair. key provisions, the bill would: first hand how tedious and cumbersome com- If the stories could not get any worst, this Provide a refined definition for the term puter infections can be. In the past year, I particular antidote affected me the most, Mark ‘‘harassment’’ that is consistent with the rec- have had several computer viruses and they Calt wrote in and said: ommendations of the National Research are costly and time consuming to fix. I’d like to take pictures of my daughter Council and accounts for the cumulative, as Through my Washington Update, I regularly who currently is 2 years old. I used my dig- opposed to merely incidental, effects of behav- email my constituents about what’s happening ital camera to take a picture of her from the ioral changes in marine mammals. in DC. When I wrote to my constituents about moment she was born and every single Enhance protections for marine mammals in month until she reached her first birthday. I today’s hearing and requested that they share stored all those pictures in my hard drive so captivity, including the establishment of a new with me some of their experiences with com- when I am ready, I’ll sort them all out and advisory committee to encourage the promul- puter viruses, the response was immediate have them developed and make a nice album gation of regulations by the Secretary of Agri- and resounding. I was immediately inundated that I can show to my daughter when she culture for captive care and maintenance, an with e-mails about the economic, social, and grows up and maybe play a slide show during updated and publicly accessible captive ma- personal toll computer viruses have on the her debut (18th Birthday Party). But my rine mammal inventory, and elimination of all lives of my constituents. computer was hit by the virus just before I marine mammal traveling exhibits. Let me share a sample of these stories with got them developed . my one year worth Provide increased funding opportunities for of project, my dream, and my gift to my you today to highlight the impact viruses can daughter are all gone together with the pic- the development of fishing gear that would de- have on our daily lives. tures. I would pay—no matter what the crease harmful interactions with marine mam- Mark Patton, Vice President of American price—if I could retrieve all those pictures mals. Remedial Technology, a small company in my . they were priceless . you cannot Authorize research and grant programs to community, wrote in and said: bring back the hands of time! study methods of non-lethal deterrence and VerDate jul 14 2003 06:27 Oct 17, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16OC8.032 E16PT1 October 16, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2063 control of nuisance seals and sea lions, whose than 80 countries.