Steven Holt: “I rise in support of H.R. 395, the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act; and I would like to salute Chairman Tauzin and…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 395, the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act; and I would like to salute Chairman Tauzin and Ranking Member Dingell for introducing what my colleagues will tell you, and my constituents especially will tell you, is important legislation. I cannot count the number of e-mails, phone calls, and letters I receive from constituents, many of them irate, complaining about telemarketing. The residents of my district have pleaded with me to do something so that they can have a peaceful family dinner, not interrupted by credit card solicitations or the latest condominium offerings on some tropical locale. I know what they are talking about, because frequently my dinner is interrupted by these calls, too. They have been described as nuisances, extremely annoying, and by stronger language. We should not stop companies from developing and using innovative ways to sell their products and services, but there is little question that this kind of telemarketing is out of hand. It has become a form of harassment. Just as citizens have the right to tell door-to-door solicitors to leave their property, Americans should have the right to tell telemarketers to stop calling and to make it happen.”