[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S459-S460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 2006 AS ``GO DIRECT MONTH''

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 363, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 363) designating February 2006 as 
     ``Go Direct Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it's a privilege to join my colleague 
Senator Grassley in submitting this important resolution commemorating 
February 2006 as Go Direct Month.
  In 2004, the Treasury Department issued over 70,000 checks worth $61 
million that were illegally signed for. The Treasury receives 
approximately half a million phone calls each year from people having 
problems with paper checks.
  Go Direct encourages Americans to use direct deposit for their 
Federal checks, such as Social Security. Under direct deposit, the 
Federal Government transfers its payments directly to a person's bank 
account, eliminating the risk of lost or stolen checks. Since 1986, 
direct deposit has also saved the Federal Government $5 billion in 
administrative costs--$120 million a year for Social Security checks 
alone.
  Now, the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve have launched Go 
Direct to encourage Americans to protect their Federal benefits and 
take more control of their money. Go Direct Month, promoted by the 
Federal Government and by State and local governments and the private 
sector as well, will inform as many citizens as possible about the 
advantages of direct deposit and help them adopt direct deposit for the 
future.
  I urge my colleagues to approve this worthwhile resolution and to 
encourage their constituents to take advantage of this time-saving and 
problem-avoiding initiative.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 363) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 363

       Whereas the Department of Treasury issued over 70,000 
     checks worth approximately $61,000,000 that were illegally 
     signed for in 2004;
       Whereas the Department of the Treasury receives 
     approximately 500,000 telephone calls each year regarding 
     problems with paper checks;
       Whereas the use of direct deposit has resulted in 
     approximately $5,000,000,000 in savings for the Federal 
     Government since 1986;
       Whereas 1 out of every 5 newly eligible Social Security 
     recipients has yet to sign up for direct deposit;
       Whereas the United States would generate approximately 
     $120,000,000 in annual savings if all federal beneficiaries 
     used direct deposit;
       Whereas the use of direct deposit is a more secure, 
     reliable, and cost effective method of payment because the 
     use of direct deposit--
       (1) eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks;
       (2) helps protect against fraud; and
       (3) provides citizens of the United States with more 
     control over their money;
       Whereas the Department of the Treasury and the Federal 
     Reserve Bank has launched ``Go Direct'', a national campaign 
     organized to encourage citizens of the United States to use 
     direct deposit for the receipt of Social Security and other 
     Federal benefits; and
       Whereas, by working with financial institutions, advocacy 
     groups, and community organizations, the sponsors of ``Go 
     Direct'' educate citizens of the United States about the 
     advantages of using direct deposit and assist them during the 
     enrollment process: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideas of ``Go Direct'';
       (2) proclaims February 2006 as ``Go Direct Month'';

[[Page S460]]

       (3) commends Federal, State, and local governments, and the 
     private sector, for promoting February as ``Go Direct 
     Month''; and
       (4) encourages all citizens of the United States to--
       (A) participate in events and awareness initiatives held 
     during the month of February;
       (B) become informed about the convenience and safety of 
     direct deposit; and
       (C) consider signing up for direct deposit of Social 
     Security or other Federal benefits.

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