American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act
AMERICAN SPIRIT FRAUD PREVENTION ACT -- (House of Representatives - October 25, 2005)
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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3675, the American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act. Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters to have ever struck the United States; and it will take months, if not years, to recover from its wake. Countless lives were lost, and the Nation was confronted with a new reality, a harsh sense of our vulnerabilities. One saving grace, the one ray of hope that helped to combat the pain, suffering, and sadness of the Nation, was the commitment displayed by Americans who were determined to help. As the cities of New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi, and others try to regain their footing, residents around the Nation, including the Chicago area, where I am from, have opened their hearts, their homes, and their pocketbooks to provide support to those who have lost so much.
Over $1 billion has been raised for relief efforts and aid to victims of Katrina from donations large and small made by the American public.
Unfortunately, however, there are some in our country who demonstrated the shameful side of humanity by attempting to illegally profit from Katrina. Those individuals tried to exploit the generosity demonstrated by so many through fraudulent solicitations in which they claimed to be representing organizations benefiting the victims or providing emergency response services. While those despicable acts are already illegal, it is necessary for the Congress, on behalf of our constituents, to send a clear message that such behavior will be subject to even more severe penalties in the future.
Under H.R. 3675, the American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act, the maximum civil fines for actions of fraud in an attempt to profit from national emergencies will be doubled. These increased penalties will apply to all violations that occur within 1 year of the time the President declares a disaster and all violations that occurred during and up to 1 year after the expiration of a Presidential emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act.
The American public is caring and committed. We care about the well-being of our neighbors, and we are committed to do what we can to ensure prosperity and security for this Nation. While our government needs to do much more to improve its preparedness and response, we will not allow the generous and caring spirit of the American public to be victimized during a national emergency.
I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.
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