[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 526-527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 363--DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 2006 AS ``GO DIRECT MONTH''

  Mr. COLEMAN (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              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

[[Page 527]]

     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'';
       (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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