[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION AND INFORMATION BLACKOUT ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Identity 
Theft Protection and Information Blackout Act of 2003.'' I am proud to 
offer this legislation on behalf of eighteen of my Republican and 
Democratic colleagues in the House.
  As Congress debates reauthorization of the Fair Credit Reporting 
Act's preemption provisions, ordinary Americans are more concerned than 
ever about the privacy of their financial and health information. 
Moreover, the identity theft epidemic continues to disrupt lives and 
cost families and businesses millions of dollars. Americans want, need, 
and expect the Federal government to take action to address these 
issues.
  In response to this urgent problem, my legislation establishes 
methods for preventing identity theft and amends the FCRA to protect 
consumers' sensitive, private health-related information by 
safeguarding it from indiscriminate use by credit bureaus, financial 
institutions, and affiliates.
  This legislation also protects Social Security numbers from identity 
thieves. An individual's Social Security number has been called the 
``the golden key'' to financial identity theft. To protect this vital 
key to personal information, my legislation institutes national 
standards governing the collection, use, display, sale and security of 
social security numbers by government and by private sector entities.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the 
Identify Theft Protection and Information Blackout Act, and I strongly 
urge the House to consider this important measure as we move closer to 
reauthorizing the Fair Credit Reporting Act and similar legislation to 
keep personal financial and related information private and protected 
from fraud and abuse.




                          ____________________