10 June 1999
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

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[Congressional Record: June 9, 1999 (House)]
[Page H3999]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr09jn99-161]


    IN SUPPORT OF SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION (SAFE) ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to speak
in support of the Security and Freedom through Encryption, or SAFE,
Act, which has been introduced in this session of the Congress and has
been done so in support of the high technology industry which is so
important to our economy and, therefore, to our country. Indeed, the
high technology industry has already created and employs nearly 5
million people across this great land. But the statistics do not show
the whole story, for as much as the high tech industry directly adds to
our economy, it adds even more indirectly. Advances in technology
impact every other sector of our economy, be it retail sales or farming
or manufacturing or whatever. The productivity increases that high tech
has brought to us allow us to work better and faster, creating higher
incomes and prosperity for all Americans. I think it is safe to say
that high technology has been the most important development in our
economy in the last 50 years. We need to continue to promote high
technology. Part of the problem we face is that currently government
imposes strict regulations on technology imports, such as encryption
technology. The rationale behind these policies is that we should limit
potential adversaries from acquiring top-notch technology, whether
those adversaries be in the foreign affairs field or in criminal
enterprises. In regard to encryption, this policy is outdated and needs
rethinking. It is as a practical matter impossible to limit access to
some of those technologies, especially when it is possible to purchase
top of the line encryption technology through the Internet or from a
foreign vendor. U.S. export controls on U.S.-created encryption do not
restrict anyone's access to technology or to encryption devices, and
instead cripples the U.S. technology industry's ability to grow, invest
in research and development and continue to create the best technology
in the world. That is a far bigger threat to our national security. Our
national security fundamentally relies on the strength and
competitiveness of our economy. Reforming encryption controls and
passage of the Security and Freedom through Encryption, or SAFE, Act
which I have cosponsored is a common-sense approach that levels the
playing field for our industry in the world, without compromising
America's national security interest. I urge its passage.

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