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"The event was geared toward business managers across multiple industries and representatives from federal, state and local government agencies who rely on firsthand information and senior level perspectives to help them make strategic decisions around use of this emerging technology."

"the smart card becomes a logical vehicle for distributed [network] information management, identification, security and payments."

"financial institutions in North America are planning to add other applications to their cards."

"the subject of interoperability [between multiple applications or uses of smart cards] is gaining increased scrutiny."

Key legal and public privacy issues presented by a multi-application smart card were discussed.

"Every facet of business and government share a vision of smart cards as an enabling component in payment systems, information networks, consumer marketing and citizen services. The next few years will be extremely exciting as the industry accomplishes many of its goals, and we see our vision become a reality."

"Jack Radzikowski, Chief, Federal Financial Systems Branch, Office of Management & Budget, addressed the issue of why cooperation across government agencies is necessary to the successful implementation of smart card technology. The years of big government have ended, he told the audience, and the year of the smart card has begun." [underlining & color added for emphasis]