[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PERSONAL PRIVACY

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                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 1997

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the growing 
concerns that our constituents have about the invasion of their 
personal privacy.
  The latest to take up the cause is Money magazine. In its August 
issue, Money recounts a poll it took. It found that nearly 75 percent 
of those surveyed were somewhat, or very concerned, about threats to 
their privacy. Those concerns have increased--about 66 percent are more 
worried now than they were 5 years ago. And more women than men are 
feeling threatened: 80 percent versus 68 percent
  People's biggest fear is the sale of their Social Security numbers 
and other personal identifiers, such as unlisted telephone numbers. 
Why? Because this information can unlock the door to medical records, 
school records, you name it. Under current Federal law, it is not a 
crime to sell this information. Some 88 percent want Government to 
change that.
  The Money article, entitled ``Protect Your Privacy,'' talks about 
legislation that I introduced to protect personal privacy. H.R. 1813, 
the Personal Information Privacy Act, would prevent the sale of Social 
Security numbers, unlisted phone numbers, home addresses, dates of 
birth, and other private information by credit bureaus, departments of 
motor vehicles and Internet vendors.
  Money says, ``Washington and private businesses need to work hard to 
minimize the biggest threats you face.'' It says that Congress and the 
President should enact this piece of legislation into law. I urge my 
colleagues to heed the concerns of their constituents and become 
cosponsors of H.R. 1813.

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