The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ICANN” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H3455 on May 7, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ICANN
(Mr. WILLIAMS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, the President recently announced that the U.S. Commerce Department would end its Internet agreement with ICANN, a nonprofit organization who has overseen our databases since 1998.
President Obama's plans could lead to international control and come at a time when nations all over the world are looking for any technological advantage they can gain over the United States.
Both Republicans and Democrats alike agree that the Obama administration's decision to cut ties with ICANN could lead to an uncertain future that hinders free speech and threatens national security.
The United States has always been the most protective country of free speech in the entire world. As other countries and international organizations advocate for a more globalized Web, the trampling of our First Amendment rights and greater censorship will be at an even higher risk.
It is imperative that we closely monitor this situation moving forward to ensure that free speech in any medium is never censored.
In God we trust.
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