Representative Jim Leach and Senator Bill Frist will be holding a rally/hearing on Internet Gambling in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Cedar Rapids</st1lace></st1:City> on 8/31. It is vital that all players are there to voice their opposition to this bill. They need to see that this is no "cake walk" and that there is passionate opposition to this bill, and that this is a controversial bill in the Senate. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Congressman James A. Leach<o></o>
For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Grant<o></o>
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August 29, 2006 Phone: 319.363.4773<o></o>
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Webpage: www.house.gov/leach<o></o>
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MEDIA ADVISORY<o></o>
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CONGRESSMAN JIM LEACH AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST TO HOLD FIELDHEARING ON INTERNET GAMBLING THURSDAY, AUGUST 31st <o></o>
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SUBJECT: Congressman Jim Leach and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Will hold an informal field hearing to review problems attendant to internet gambling and legislative approaches to curb it. <o></o>
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BACKGROUND: A bill introduced by Congressman Leach, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act (H.R. 4411), passed the House of Representatives on July 11, 2006. It is currently pending in the Senate where Senator Jon Kyl of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Arizona</st1lace></st1:State> has introduced companion legislation.<o></o>
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Under federal and state statute, internet gambling is currently illegal, but unenforceable. What the Leach-Kyle approach does is make it unlawful to Use financial instruments such as credit cards, checks, or fund transfers to settle online wagers. By blocking the payment system, tools are provided federal and state law enforcement authorities to help them enforce existing prohibitions on internet gambling. <o></o>
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Supporters of the legislation include the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and National Collegiate Athletic Association; a spectrum of family and church organizations; and 48 of the 50 state attorneys general.<o></o>
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WITNESSES: Representing the NFL will be former <st1laceType w:st="on">University</st1laceType> of <st1laceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1laceName> stand-out, Merton Hanks, who was a five-time All-NFL defensive back for the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">San Francisco</st1lace></st1:City> 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Hanks is currently Senior Manager of Football Operations at the National Football League headquarters in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">New York City</st1lace></st1:City>. The Iowa Department of Health will be represented by Mark Vander Linden, Director of the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program. The Iowa Attorney General's office will be represented by Jeff Peterzalek, Deputy Attorney General for Litigation.<o></o>
In addition, there will be representation from religious groups and individuals affected by gambling.<o></o>
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TIME & PLACE: The field hearing will take place Thursday, August 31st at 1:30 pm at the Clark Alumni House on the <st1laceName w:st="on">Coe</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">College</st1laceType> campus, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1220 First Avenue SE</st1:address></st1:Street> in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Cedar Rapids</st1lace></st1:City>.
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Congressman James A. Leach<o></o>
For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Grant<o></o>
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August 29, 2006 Phone: 319.363.4773<o></o>
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Webpage: www.house.gov/leach<o></o>
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<o> </o>
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MEDIA ADVISORY<o></o>
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CONGRESSMAN JIM LEACH AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST TO HOLD FIELDHEARING ON INTERNET GAMBLING THURSDAY, AUGUST 31st <o></o>
<o> </o>
SUBJECT: Congressman Jim Leach and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Will hold an informal field hearing to review problems attendant to internet gambling and legislative approaches to curb it. <o></o>
<o> </o>
BACKGROUND: A bill introduced by Congressman Leach, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act (H.R. 4411), passed the House of Representatives on July 11, 2006. It is currently pending in the Senate where Senator Jon Kyl of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Arizona</st1lace></st1:State> has introduced companion legislation.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Under federal and state statute, internet gambling is currently illegal, but unenforceable. What the Leach-Kyle approach does is make it unlawful to Use financial instruments such as credit cards, checks, or fund transfers to settle online wagers. By blocking the payment system, tools are provided federal and state law enforcement authorities to help them enforce existing prohibitions on internet gambling. <o></o>
<o> </o>
Supporters of the legislation include the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and National Collegiate Athletic Association; a spectrum of family and church organizations; and 48 of the 50 state attorneys general.<o></o>
<o> </o>
WITNESSES: Representing the NFL will be former <st1laceType w:st="on">University</st1laceType> of <st1laceName w:st="on">Iowa</st1laceName> stand-out, Merton Hanks, who was a five-time All-NFL defensive back for the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">San Francisco</st1lace></st1:City> 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Hanks is currently Senior Manager of Football Operations at the National Football League headquarters in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">New York City</st1lace></st1:City>. The Iowa Department of Health will be represented by Mark Vander Linden, Director of the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program. The Iowa Attorney General's office will be represented by Jeff Peterzalek, Deputy Attorney General for Litigation.<o></o>
In addition, there will be representation from religious groups and individuals affected by gambling.<o></o>
<o> </o>
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TIME & PLACE: The field hearing will take place Thursday, August 31st at 1:30 pm at the Clark Alumni House on the <st1laceName w:st="on">Coe</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">College</st1laceType> campus, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1220 First Avenue SE</st1:address></st1:Street> in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Cedar Rapids</st1lace></st1:City>.