The Virginia Democrat's remarks kicked off a reception preceding the organization's annual "State Of The Net" conference, which will draw Internet policy enthusiasts of all stripes to the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"Little did we think that [Internet] issues would evolve to where they are today," Boucher told the invitation-only cocktail party. The ubiquity of the Web is exemplified in the diversity of the summit's panel discussion topics -- from energy efficiency to healthcare, he said.

"Back in 1996 we never dreamed that broadband would take place over wireless technology," Boucher said. Now, with an eye on the FCC's auction of spectrum in the 700-megahertz band and increased attention to vacant broadcast spectrum known as "white space," the possibilities are endless.

To keep pace with the changing landscape, the Internet caucus has expanded in interesting ways, he said. The group recently held its first foreign gathering of global Internet experts in London and plans are afoot to host similar events in the future.

While the evolution of the Web has raised new issues, some subjects have endured, Boucher noted. Questions about how to promote intellectual property rights "when copyrighted items traverse the net" was an issue then and remains a political hot-potato today, he said.