[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 443 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 443

           Designating February 2008 as ``Go Direct Month.''


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 5, 2008

Mrs. Dole submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
           Designating February 2008 as ``Go Direct Month.''

Whereas, in fiscal year 2007, nearly 60,000 checks issued by the Department of 
        the Treasury, worth approximately $56,000,000, were endorsed by forgery;
Whereas the Department of the Treasury receives approximately 1,400,000 
        inquiries each year regarding problems with paper checks;
Whereas, each month, nearly 12,000,000 social security and other Federal benefit 
        payments are made with checks;
Whereas the United States would generate approximately $132,000,000 in annual 
        savings if all Federal benefit checks were paid by direct deposit;
Whereas the use of direct deposit is a more secure, reliable, and cost-effective 
        method of payment than paper checks because the use of direct deposit--

    (1) helps protect against identity theft and fraud;

    (2) provides easier access to funds during emergencies and natural 
disasters; and

    (3) provides the people of the United States with more control over 
their money;

Whereas the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks have 
        launched Go Direct, a national campaign to motivate people who receive 
        Federal benefit payments to use direct deposit to receive those 
        payments;
Whereas Go Direct works with more than 1,100 partners across the Nation, 
        including financial institutions, advocacy groups, and community 
        organizations;
Whereas more than 130 financial institutions representing 25,000 branches 
        nationwide participated in the 2007 ``Go Direct Champions'' competition 
        to encourage the use of direct deposit among people who receive Federal 
        benefit payments; and
Whereas more than 1,600,000 people in the United States have switched from paper 
        checks to direct deposit to receive Federal benefit payments since Go 
        Direct launched in the fall of 2004: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates February 2008 as ``Go Direct Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of the Go Direct 
        campaign;
            (3) commends Federal, State, and local governments, 
        nonprofit agencies, and the private sector for promoting 
        February as Go Direct Month; and
            (4) encourages people in the United States who are eligible 
        to receive social security or other Federal benefit payments 
        to--
                    (A) participate in events and awareness initiatives 
                held during the month of February with respect to using 
                direct deposit;
                    (B) become informed about the convenience and 
                safety of direct deposit; and
                    (C) consider signing up for direct deposit of 
                social security or other Federal benefit payments.
                                 <all>