[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             DESIGNATING MARCH 2007 AS ``GO DIRECT MONTH''

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to consideration of S. Res. 67.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 67) designating March 2007 as ``Go 
     Direct Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 67) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 67

       Whereas the Department of the Treasury issued 57,000 checks 
     worth approximately $54,000,000 that were endorsed illegally 
     in 2006;
       Whereas the Department of the Treasury receives 
     approximately 1,500,000 inquiries each year regarding 
     problems with paper checks;
       Whereas the use of direct deposit has resulted in more than 
     $6,000,000,000 in savings for the Federal Government since 
     1986;
       Whereas more than 12,000,000 social security and other 
     Federal benefit recipients have 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 than paper 
     checks because the use of direct deposit--
       (1) helps protect against identity theft and fraud;
       (2) provides easier access to funds during emergencies and 
     natural disasters; and
       (3) provides citizens of the United States with more 
     control over their money;
       Whereas the Department of the Treasury and the Federal 
     Reserve Banks have launched ``Go Direct'', a national 
     campaign organized to encourage the people 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'' are educating the people of the United States about 
     the advantages of using direct deposit and assisting people 
     during the enrollment process: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``Go Direct'';
       (2) designates March 2007 as ``Go Direct Month'';
       (3) commends Federal, State, and local governments, and the 
     private sector, for promoting March as ``Go Direct Month''; 
     and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to--
       (A) participate in events and awareness initiatives held 
     during the month of March;
       (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.

                          ____________________