Senate Concurrent Resolution 567

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING "NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK" AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS IN ENSURING THAT THE MISSISSIPPI CONSUMER IS PROTECTED FROM UNFAIR PRACTICES.

WHEREAS, the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi is a joint sponsor of the ninth annual National Consumer Protection Week scheduled for February 4-10, 2007; and

WHEREAS, National Consumer Protection Week highlights consumer education efforts in the fight against fraud in communities across the nation; and

WHEREAS, together with a group of federal, state and local government agencies, financial institutions and other consumer advocacy organizations, the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi encourages everyone with the theme of the week "Be An Informed Consumer." This year's theme encourages consumers, by gathering and sharing information, to become more confident, savvy and safe in the marketplace; and

WHEREAS, according to the Federal Trade Commission, consumer information can help people recognize a rip-off, scam or other fraud. Fraudulent promotions seek to exploit consumer financial fantasies, needs and optimism; and

WHEREAS, a number of public and private entities are joining forces this year to highlight consumer education efforts throughout the nation. These efforts will help consumers learn more about securing personal information and privacy issues. The entities involved include the following: the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Better Business Bureau, the Consumer Federation of America, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the National Association of Attorneys General, and the Federal Consumer Information Center. These groups will help consumers understand how information and privacy issues affect their lives and the decisions they make in the marketplace; and

WHEREAS, during National Consumer Protection Week, all Americans and Mississippians learn more about ways to safeguard their personal information, recognize fraudulent telemarketers, and identify fraudulent e-mail. Through these measures, individuals can better protect their financial security and ultimately contribute to the long-term strength of our economy:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize February 4-10, 2007, as National Consumer Protection Week, and call upon government officials, industry leaders, and consumer advocates to provide consumers information about the use and misuse of personal information, in order to help safeguard the economic future of all Americans and Mississippians.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the Consumer Protection of the Office of Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi and the AARP, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.