[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IDENTITY THEFT LEGISLATION

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2001

  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, four months ago, a little boy in 
Salem, Oregon named Tyler Benton Bales lost his battle with a rare 
genetic disease called Hurler Syndrome. Although I never had the 
pleasure of knowing him, Tyler was somewhat of a celebrity in Salem. In 
fact, he was the subject of a front page article in the Salem Statesman 
Journal last December, when a silent auction was held to raise money to 
offset the cost of an expensive bone marrow transplant that was his 
only chance to beat Hurler Syndrome. Unfortunately, Tyler's heart 
wasn't strong enough to survive the rigors of his transplant and 
chemotherapy. He was only sixteen months old when he passed away.
  Mr. Speaker, there's nothing more tragic than losing a child. My 
heart goes out to Tyler's parents, and to all the other parents of 
children who suffer from Hurler Syndrome. Unfortunately, the heartache 
of Tyler's loss hasn't eased for his parents. As if it's not hard 
enough losing your sixteen month old child, the Bales recently 
learned--courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service--that someone is 
claiming Tyler as a dependent on their 2000 income tax return. As 
disturbing as that is, it gets worse.
  Because of disclosure issues, the IRS won't give out the name of the 
identity thief to the Salem Police Department, even though identity 
theft is a felony offense in Oregon. The thief could live right down 
the street or 3,000 miles away--but if the IRS has it's way, the 
Bales--and the Salem Police Department--will never know who stole their 
son's personal information.
  Mr. Speaker, we can't even begin to imagine the anguish this family 
is going through. Tyler Benton Bales was so much more than a name, a 
date of birth, and a Social Security number--he was a little boy who 
was surrounded by love during his brief time with us. His parents--and 
the countless of other people who loved him--should not see his memory 
dishonored by a common thief whose identity is actually being protected 
by the IRS. That's why I'm introducing the ID Theft Loophole Closure 
Act. This legislation simply requires the IRS to furnish the name, 
Social Security number, and address of a suspected identity thief to 
state and local law enforcement agencies for the exclusive purpose of 
locating that individual.
  Identity Theft is not a victimless crime. We must cut through the red 
tape that is preventing this and other thieves from being prosecuted 
for their crimes, and I believe this legislation is the right tool for 
the job. I urge my colleagues to support the ID Theft Loophole Closure 
Act.

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