[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2316-S2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. Pryor):
  S. 2426. A bill to facilitate the protection of minors using the 
Internet from material that is harmful to minors, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, on March 1, 2006 Evert Meiners of 
Billings, MT pled guilty to distributing child pornography over the 
Internet. A search of his computer by the FBI turned up more than 
12,000 images of child pornography.
  Mr. Meiners had the child pornography images on his website, which he 
operated from his home in Billings. But authorities across the world 
were able to access the pictures. Law enforcement in New York, 
Illinois, Maryland, and even Germany, reported that Mr. Meiners 
distributed and solicited pornographic images in their jurisdictions.
  The Internet has proved to be a powerful tool for both good and evil. 
Criminals operating from around the world can now prey on children in 
our own backyards. We used to worry what could happen to our kids on 
their way home from school. Now parents have to worry about their kids 
even in the safety of their own homes.

  Since 1995 the FBI has tracked down over 11,000 unique web addresses 
that solicit and market child pornography.
  The danger posed by these graphic web sites to our children demands 
action. That is why I will introduce the ``Cyber Safety for Kids Act'' 
today. As a general matter the legislation seeks to create a zone for 
all sexually explicit material that parents can easily block their 
children from visiting.
  Specifically, the bill would do the following: First, the Cyber 
Safety for Kids Act would require the Internet Corporation for Assigned 
Names and Numbers to designate a top level domain name for web sites 
with sexually explicit materials harmful to minors. The domain name 
would be titled dot XXX, rather than dot Com.
  Next, within six months of the launch of the .XXX domain name, all 
web sites that contain sexually explicit materials harmful to minors 
would be required to adopt the dot XXX domain name.
  Finally, if a web site that contains sexually explicit material 
harmful to minors fails to use the dot XXX domain name, the web 
operator would be subject to civil penalties set by the Department of 
Commerce.
  I know that some people believe that my legislation goes too far. 
Others believe that it does not go far enough. For example, some argue 
that all pornography over the Internet should be banned. That would 
certainly be effective, but would unquestionably be overturned by the 
Supreme Court. On numerous occasions, the Supreme Court has struck down 
laws that prohibit the broadcast of pornographic images.
  On the other hand, I have heard from some that believe my legislation 
is too restrictive. I am a strong defender of the Constitution's 
protection of speech. But we cannot bury our heads in the sand and 
pretend that the problem of children viewing harmful material over the 
Internet will go away.
  We must do what we can do to help parents protect their kids. My 
legislation aims to follow the successful efforts by States and 
localities to zone adult book and movie theaters in one part of a city 
or town.

  In Renton v. Playtime Theaters the Supreme Court specifically upheld 
a city zoning ordinance that prohibited adult motion picture theaters 
from locating within 1,000 feet of any residential zone, single- or 
multiple-family dwelling, church, park, or school.
  Likewise, my legislation creates a zone for all sexually explicit 
material that is harmful to minors on the Internet. Parents could 
easily install filters on their computer to keep their kids from 
visiting the dot XXX neighborhood.
  There is no silver bullet that will stop sick adults from trafficking 
and

[[Page S2317]]

soliciting child pornography. But my legislation offers an important 
first step.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation 
forward. I am also appreciative of Senator Pryor's leadership on this 
issue in the Commerce Committee. I am glad to say that Senator Pryor 
has agreed to be the lead co-sponsor of my legislation.
  I urge Congress to support my legislation, and have it on the 
President's desk as soon as possible. American parents have asked for 
our help, it's our duty to act.
                                 ______