[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 177

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 6, 1997

By Assemblymen MORAN and CONNORS

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Congress and President of the United States to enact the federal "Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997."

Whereas,        Fraudulent telemarketers prey upon persons of all ages, financial and educational levels, and bilk American consumers out of approximately $40 billion a year; and

Whereas,        These criminals devise fake charities and fundraising     organizations, phony clearinghouses and real estate scams and     induce individuals to send thousands of dollars, and in some             instances their lifetime savings; and

Whereas,Seniors are increasingly targeted by fraudulent telemarketing schemes because they are often trusting of the friendly but cunning sales pitches of illegitimate telemarketers; and

Whereas,The "Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997," now pending before Congress as H.R.1847, strikes back at telemarketing criminals by forcing them to forfeit all real or personal property used or gained from telemarketing fraud; and

Whereas,H.R.1847 also directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the federal ¹[sentancing] sentencing¹ guidelines to provide for more severe penalties against those who commit telemarketing fraud, especially those individuals who target seniors; and

Whereas,It is altogether fitting and proper and in the public interest for this House to call upon the Congress and President of the United States to enact the federal "Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997"; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1.    The Congress and President of the United States are respectfully memorialized to enact the federal "Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997."

    2.    Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and every member of Congress elected from this State.

Memorializes the Congress and President to enact the federal "Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997."