[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                H.R. 2708 ``CYBERTIPLINE REPORTING ACT''

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                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, there is growing evidence that individuals 
are using the Internet to trade and collect child pornography.
  In my district alone, police in Naperville, Illinois have made over 
forty Internet-related sex arrests in the past eighteen months.
  Although current law requires Internet companies like America Online 
to directly report to law enforcement incidences involving child 
pornography, the law is unclear as to which law enforcement agencies 
should receive these reports.
  This amounts to a scattershot approach to attacking the problem.
  What is needed is a central clearinghouse to ensure that all reports 
are acted upon swiftly.
  Fortunately, such a clearinghouse already exists--it's called the 
CyberTipline. Created by Congress, the CyberTipline gives citizens a 
single location to which they may report child pornography cases.
  Launched in 1998, the Tipline has received over 10,000 tips from the 
general public, leading to dozens of arrests.
  I believe the Internet community should fully utilize this important 
public service. To that end, I have introduced H.R. 2708, which allows 
America Online and others to use the CyberTipline when reporting 
incidents of child pornography.
  This bill has the support of law enforcement agencies, as well as the 
leading Internet trade association.
  Mr. Speaker, the best way to protect the positive, unfettered use of 
the Internet is to ensure that it doesn't become a sanctuary for those 
who prey on children.
  Requiring the use of the CyberTipline is a step in that direction.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in the fight against child sexual 
exploitation on the Internet and support H.R. 2708.

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