[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER CONFIDENTIALITY ACT OF 1999

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                               speech of

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, as the information age 
continues forward, crimes resulting from the use of stolen personal 
information have occurred with greater frequency. Time and time again, 
a person's identity is taken from them unknowingly and used to someone 
else's advantage. Information such as Social Security Numbers, 
financial records, or medical documents are often easily found and 
easily abused.
  The problem is wide spread. Unfortunately, our own Federal 
Government, in the form of the Social Security Administration, helps to 
allow for identity theft to more easily occur. In an alarming practice, 
the Social Security Administration has the Department of Treasury print 
a Social Security recipient's name, address, and Social Security Number 
on their benefits check. This information is then openly displayed in 
the window of the envelope. These envelopes are placed in the public 
mail system when any individual could potentially, and relatively 
easily, gain access to this information. This practice is irresponsible 
and must be changed. We cannot allow senior citizens to be the victims 
of government irresponsibility.
  H.R. 3218, ``The Social Security Number Confidentiality Act,'' 
addresses the practice of printing Social Security Numbers in a place 
where the number can easily be seen or accessed. This forward thinking 
legislation directs the Treasury Secretary to take the necessary steps 
to end the practice of printing a recipients Social Security Number in 
an open and visible location.
  Current law ensures that information obtained by the Social Security 
Administration is confidential. This legislation will make sure that 
the Federal Government obeys the law, and that it does not act 
irresponsibly in its job of keeping personal information confidential.
  I urge further action by the Congress to explore where further 
privacy protection is needed and where the Federal Government is not 
protecting that privacy. In the same way, it is important that citizens 
take steps to protect themselves. One should always be careful to guard 
personal information.
  This legislation is a positive step in protecting the privacy of our 
Nation's senior citizens. I urge my colleagues to help pass this 
legislation and help keep our nation's citizens' private lives just 
that--private.

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