[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL DATA PRIVACY DAY

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 25, submitted earlier today 
by Senator Dorgan.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 25) expressing support for 
     designation of January 28, 2009, as ``National Data Privacy 
     Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table 
with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 25) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 25

       Whereas the Internet and the capabilities of modern 
     technology cause data privacy issues to figure prominently in 
     the lives of many people in the United States at work, in 
     their interaction with government and public authorities, in 
     the health field, in e-commerce transactions, and online 
     generally;
       Whereas many individuals are unaware of data protection and 
     privacy laws generally and of specific steps that can be 
     taken to help protect the privacy of personal information 
     online;
       Whereas ``National Data Privacy Day'' constitutes an 
     international collaboration and a nationwide and statewide 
     effort to raise awareness about data privacy and the 
     protection of personal information on the Internet;
       Whereas government officials from the United States and 
     Europe, privacy professionals, academics, legal scholars, 
     representatives of international businesses, and others with 
     an interest in data privacy issues are working together on 
     this date to further the discussion about data privacy and 
     protection;
       Whereas privacy professionals and educators are being 
     encouraged to take the time to discuss data privacy and 
     protection issues with teens in high schools across the 
     country;
       Whereas privacy is a central element of the mission of the 
     Federal Trade Commission and the Commission will need to 
     continue to educate consumers about protecting their personal 
     information, and their consumer education campaigns should be 
     part of a National effort;
       Whereas the recognition of ``National Data Privacy Day'' 
     will encourage more people nationwide to be aware of data 
     privacy concerns and to take steps to protect their personal 
     information online; and
       Whereas January 28, 2009, would be an appropriate day to 
     designate as ``National Data Privacy Day'': Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of a ``National Data Privacy 
     Day'';
       (2) encourages State and local governments to observe the 
     day with appropriate activities that promote awareness of 
     data privacy;
       (3) encourages privacy professionals and educators to 
     discuss data privacy and protection issues with teens in high 
     schools across the United States; and
       (4) encourages individuals across the Nation to be aware of 
     data privacy concerns and to take steps to protect their 
     personal information online.

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